Manchester United’s 4-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers six days ago generated speculation of a corner being turned, with new players being slotted in and the back three being abandoned for the midfield diamond.

Dismissing talk of his change of shape – focusing on the “philosophy”, as ever, coach Louis van Gaal said that he could not have picked anything other than a back four because of the personnel available.

With Chris Smalling and Phil Jones still out, he is like to pursue a similar logic tomorrow in the team he picks when they take on Leicester City.

Leicester may not be challenging for Uefa Champions League qualification and would probably be delighted with a top-half finish, but they will represent far more of a test than a supine QPR.

They have been by some distance the best of the promoted clubs, despite a difficult fixture.

They were well worth their home draws against Everton and Arsenal and held their own for a long time in the defeat away at ­Chelsea.

Perhaps they were a little fortunate to win at Stoke City last weekend, scoring with their only shot on target, but they have shown a defensive stubbornness and have, in Fernando Ulloa, bought from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer, an awkward and angular forward who can finish.

Even a victory would not guarantee that United have found their feet, but it would be rather more meaningful than the walkover against QPR.

A sense can be felt that United need to start picking up points: after this game they play West Ham United before beginning a run that sees them play four of last season’s top five in the space of six weeks.

sports@thenational.ae