Manchester United are back in action on Monday evening following a 24-day break, as they host fierce rivals Leeds United at Old Trafford in a crucial Premier League showdown.

With only seven fixtures left to play, the importance of each result is growing. United sit third, narrowly ahead of Aston Villa by a single point, and will be determined to tighten their grip on a Champions League place.

Leeds, meanwhile, have slipped from their earlier strong form and are now edging toward a relegation fight with Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham, and Nottingham Forest, sitting just four points clear of the bottom three.

It will be Leeds’ first trip to Old Trafford since returning to the Premier League, with United hoping to go one better than the 1-1 draw between the sides at Elland Road earlier in the campaign.

Following the three-week break United's squad have had from domestic action, several first-team players have returned to training, prompting questions about how the starting XI could change before the end of the season.

However, one player who will remain in the team is goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who is maintaining his brilliant streak of starts, having lost only two Premier League games since making his debut in October.

A big talking point is who will partner Leny Yoro at centre-back. Harry Maguire is suspended, and many assumed Lisandro Martínez would replace him in the side, but amid his fresh return from injury, Carrick hinted that he will not rush the defender back.

Therefore, the Leeds tie could finally see the return of young centre-back Ayden Heaven to the team alongside Yoro, with Luke Shaw at left-back. Although Diogo Dalot missed the Ireland camp due to illness, he is expected to be fit to start.

In midfield, there will be no surprises. Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro have been working brilliantly in the pivot, and both are expected to remain together when Leeds rock up to Old Trafford.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is just four assists away from equalling the record for most assists in a Premier League season, and will be pulling the strings once again from attacking midfield. He also has a great record against Leeds.

As for the front three, this is where selection can be more interesting. Matheus Cunha will start on the left, but it's either Benjamin Šeško or Bryan Mbeumo up front. Given Leeds' likely desire to shut up shop, Šeško is probably the better option.

On the right, either Mbeumo or Amad will start, and considering his brilliant ability in tight spaces, it may be best that the latter is given the nod over Mbeumo.

That being said, United's impact substitutes have played a huge role under Carrick so far, so having the Cameroon international coming off the bench could be a brilliant ace up the United boss's sleeve.

United predicted XI vs Leeds: Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Heaven, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Fernandes, Cunha, Šeško.