Ranieri: Man Utd Fixture A Great Experience

- Ranieri labelled the encounter ‘a big match’ and believes his side will learn a great deal from the game 

- City boss believes his side deserve to be sitting at the top of the Premier League 

- Ranieri highlighted the Red Devils’ attacking prowess ahead of the game 

Ahead of Saturday’s Barclays Premier League fixture against Manchester United, Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri says he is keen to see how his players fare against a ‘great team’. 

The Foxes boss knows Louis Van Gaal’s outfit will provide a stern test given how well the Dutchman’s side have been playing in recent weeks. 

Unbeaten in nine games in all competitions, the Red Devils sit second in the table and could knock the Foxes off top spot with a victory. 

Prior to the game, Ranieri called on his players to show the same strength and character that has served his team so well this season. 

He said: “It’s a big match, it’s the big match of the Premier League this week. We are top of the league and we deserve this in this moment. For us it’s another match to understand where we can improve and which way we have to improve. 

“Of course I know after four months my team, but when you play against these great teams, against great champions, you have to see how our team show their tactics – their strength and character. 

“When we concede a goal, how we react, or if we score a goal and how we react. We have to build. We must grow up in every situation. For us it’s good. 

“It’s experience and that is important for us, more than the result. To stay at the top of the league is experience for us because everybody is thinking Leicester are top of the league. It’s important and I want to see how my players show for one week at the top of the league.” 

Ranieri recognised the attacking prowess of Manchester United in his pre-match press conference, emphasising the ability of striker Anthony Martial, who the City boss worked with during his time at French outfit AS Monaco. 

“I’m looking for Martial, I know Martial very well and also Rooney and Mata,” Ranieri added. “There are so many champions there. 

“For us it’s important to show our football. When we have the ball, we’ll try to do our football, when Manchester have the ball, we’ll try to control and try to not let them play their football.”