The 5,000/1 pre-season outsiders have had a season to remember after embarking on a journey that has been remarkable to witness.
In a truly romantic tale for all sports fans, a side who narrowly avoided the drop last term have come back as underdogs and played with a spirit and unwavering commitment that has taken them to the brink of a first ever top flight title.
"We have to beat Leicester City because we are still in the race for the top positions, so we have to beat them.
"We cannot allow that they shall be the champion this weekend at Old Trafford, I think they shall be the champion a week later so we don't spoil the party, just postpone it a bit.
"I believe in team building and the manager has done that with this team, it is good for the Premier League and the sport of football that there shall be an unexpected winner." said Van Gaal.
FA Cup finalists United will be buoyed by six wins in seven but Leicester need only one more win for the title and know that victory at Old Trafford would see them crowned champions.
They travel to Manchester without 22-goal top scorer Jamie Vardy whose suspension has been extended following his red card against West Ham.
The corresponding fixture, back in November, ended 1-1 but the result was a footnote as Vardy broke our own Ruud van Nistelrooy's record of finding the net in 11 consecutive league games.
With Vardy out, the newly crowned PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez could be the visitors main threat.
The Algerian winger has wreaked havoc all season, his pace and ability to read the game have been a massive factor in his side's shock success.
Leicester's midfield cannot be overlooked, however, with recently-capped ex Red Danny Drinkwater and N'Golo Kante both providing insatiable energy and industry in the engine room.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luke Shaw and Will Keane are all still sidelined due to injury with Adnan Januzaj also absent, whilst Andreas Pereira could be in contention having not featured for the Under 21s squad.
Form guide: United W L W W W W Leicester City W W W W D W
Match odds: United 11/10 Draw 12/5 Leicester City 11/4
Referee: Michael Oliver
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