Shakespeare Impressed By Powerful United

- Craig Shakespeare outlines his expectations for Saturday's trip to Manchester United (5:30pm kick-off)
- The Red Devils sit atop of the fledgling Premier League table with a maximum of six points
- City have looked promising so far and go to Old Trafford full of confidence, says Shakespeare
- Leicester's manager expects United to be a real force in the Premier League this term

The 20-time English champions have opened the new campaign with eight goals without reply in just two matches – against West Ham United and Swansea City – and so sit atop of the table.

However, Shakespeare, who was speaking to the national media on Thursday, believes his side have already proven their own credentials over the first fortnight of the campaign.

“I don’t think you cannot be impressed with the way they have started the season,” he said.

“They have looked powerful. To score eight goals in two games in the Premier league is no mean feat. It will be a massive challenge but we look forward to that challenge.

“We have had a couple of good results recently and we need to take that confidence into that game, but we know what stands before us.”

With players like Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba and a re-signed Zlatan Ibrahimović, Shakespeare believes that José Mourinho has constructed a squad capable of lifting their first top flight title since 2013.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to still see them at the top at the end of the season,” he added. “The Premier League is probably more open this year than it has been for a while.

“I think they will be one of the teams who are expected to be there at the end.”

The key to emerging from Old Trafford with a positive result, Shakespeare says, is handling the hosts' physical threat with several of their players lining up at over 6 ft.

“If you go back to our corners against them last season [a 4-1 defeat], I remember them because they caused us no end of problems.

“But we dealt with that quite well since then, but also I think we know what they are about and always show respect to the opposition.

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Kelechi Iheanacho

Iheanacho was all smiles at Belvoir Drive.

“We have to be mindful of our game and our strengths as well.”  

City have an impressive record against sides traditionally placed in the top-six, something Shakespeare says his players can take great comfort from this weekend.

“We have to take confidence form that,” he said. “We know our strengths and what we are good at and we have to concentrate on that as well.”