Sunday 21 September 2014 13:52, UK
Esteban Cambiasso believes Leicester City's team of “winners” can trouble Manchester United on Sunday.
The former Argentina midfielder is primed to make his home debut after an impressive 45-minute cameo at Stoke City last week helped the Foxes to a 1-0 win - their first of the season and first in the top flight since 2004.
The summer sigining, a free transfer after he left Inter Milan, knows what it takes to win titles - he has won La Liga, the Champions League and five Serie A titles.
And Cambiasso likes what he has seen of the Foxes’ spirit.
He said: "I think Leicester City has this winning mentality. When you have been in the Premier League for maybe nine or 10 years, maybe you have another mentality. But you are promoted to the Premier League it's because you have been winning matches.
"Leicester City's manager and the players possess this winning mentality.
"It's not possible to change the mentality you had last April or May for a totally different one in August or September.
"The mentality of my team-mates is to win because last year they needed to win most of their matches to go up.
"I like their quality. It doesn't matter what league you are in, it is never easy to win the championship. The reason they won the title last season is because they have quality.”
Cambiasso believes United's revival is only a matter of time under Louis van Gaal.
"Manchester United is Manchester United. Every player is good. Their last season is now in the past - but they need just time now," said the 34-year-old.
"Van Gaal is one of the best managers and coaches - he has a very important mentality.
"I respect them because they are a big club."
Boss Nigel Pearson says Cambiasso has made a positive impact in the dressing room.
He said: "When you have someone who learns other people's names as quickly as he has throughout the squad it would suggest he's interested in his team-mates and he has spent time getting to know them.
"It illustrates his desire to get to know people but he understands he will get to know the culture and people a lot better if he shows interest, and he is genuinely interested. It's a reflection of his qualities as a person.
"Esteban has come into the squad and he has a lot of humility about him.
"With the sort of career he's had it's good for us he still has that desire and thirst to play.
"Last week when he played 45 minutes he showed what's he's capable of in terms of effecting a game. All those things together are very good for us."
Watch Leicester entertain United live from 12.30pm this Sunday on Sky Sports 1
