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There are two clips Louis van Gaal should show his United players ahead of Sunday's game.

One is of Arsenal's jubilant players celebrating in front of Old Trafford 's south-east corner after accomplishing their domestic double win in 2002 and the other is of United giving newly-crowned champions Chelsea a guard of honour in 2005.

Gary Neville looked like a resident clapping burglars into his living room that night but Leicester winning the league in United's own back yard would be more humiliating. Not just due to their size or the clubs' financial chasm, or how humiliatingly it would underline United's own demise, but because of what happened 20 months ago.

Following Jamie Vardy's recent dive against West Ham, the video of his theatrical tumble against United last year was posted on Twitter and it was apparent some had still not got over it.

"That decision still staggers me." "How was that ever a penalty?" "I remember being so f****d off at this." "A year and a half and I'm still not over this." "This beggars belief even now! Shocking decision." "This match broke me." Van Gaal was heard shouting inside the dressing room after Vardy's tumble sparked United's capitulation in a 5-3 defeat.

One United-supporting friend confided to being so angry at the result he kicked his airer - and washing - into orbit. Just as infuriating as the manner of the loss was the aftermath; the defeat established Van Gaal's sterile style.

At Leicester, United started with an attacking quartet of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao. They looked so formidable they appeared intent on inflicting a record defeat on Leicester but, due to a combination of Rafael da Silva's impetuousness, Vardy's theatrics and referee Mark Clattenburg's ineptitude, United wilted and sieved five goals.

Di Maria, who decorated the game with his elegant chip, never played that well again in red. Had Falcao not struck his half-volley so forcefully , he would have claimed an ingenious strike on his full debut and would have surely scored more than four United goals.

Instead, the pair began to flounder in an attack suffering an identity crisis, while another South American suffered. Vardy's dive effectively killed the popular Rafael's career.

The Brazilian started the next four games but, already mindful Van Gaal had failed to sell him in the summer transfer window, his confidence disintegrated and Rafael played just five more times for United.

The only consolation was United had scored seven goals in two games after the final whistle at the King Power Stadium.

But due to a combination of injuries, suspensions and the defensive aberration, Van Gaal nipped that gung-ho adventurousness in the bud and the team became increasingly reliant on David de Gea's magnificence.

Dannys Simpson and Drinkwater are Mancunians who came through the United academy and are more examples of how far professionals developed by Warren Joyce can go in the game. Some United fans might feel a pang of pride at their achievements but it is offset by Vardy, who won't be even playing on Sunday.

The Foxes' probable title win is much more palatable for Reds than a City or Liverpool championship, but United fans are reluctant to revel in Vardy's 'party', embittered by his cheating against them last season - as well as his unpleasant conduct on and off the pitch. Fairy tales are streaked with darkness and so are Leicester.

Professionally, Van Gaal's future hinges on Champions League qualification so, unlike in 2004 and 2005, the manager can't let up in the league just because he has an FA Cup final on the horizon.

Players like Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Morgan Schneiderlin and Ashley Young - overlooked for the starting XI at Wembley - will also be desperate to impress the manager with just four games remaining.

United earned a guard of honour at Arsenal three years ago today, when Kieran Gibbs looked at Robin van Persie as jealously as Fredo Corleone watching Michael usurp him. They have also clinched the league at four away grounds in the Premier League era and, perhaps most dynamically, with a 6-1 thrashing of West Ham at the Boleyn Ground in 1967. United are familiar with the elation and deflation of title wins.

They need to ensure Leicester aren't as jubilant as Arsenal were 14 years ago.

Watch: Samuel Luckhurst discusses the Leicester game