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Match Preview
Manchester United are again looking to bounce back from a damaging defeat when they host Leicester City tomorrow night.
After a promising run of three successive wins, Ruben Amorim’s men delivered a woeful display against Crystal Palace on Sunday, losing 2-0 at Old Trafford.
Champions League qualification, via the Premier League, appears well out of reach, so the cup competitions will now take on greater importance.
United are still in the Europa League while a fourth-round FA Cup tie with Leicester offers an excellent chance of reaching the last 16.
An #FACup night under the lights 🔜🏆#MUFC pic.twitter.com/QA1HEh7HbG
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 5, 2025
Amorim employed a new system against Palace, using midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in a more advanced role. First impressions weren’t positive but the Portuguese insists it was a chance worth taking.
He said: “We are taking a risk but we want a different thing in the team, different profiles. It was my decision to do that.
“I’m not naive, I said that many times, this is a sport of results and we are in a difficult situation.
“I know when I chose this profession that you have the risk of results and I knew when I came here I look at the schedule, I look at the team, my decision changing everything in the middle of the season without new signings is a danger for a coach, but I have a clear idea of what I want to do and I take these risks because in the end it’s going to pay off.”
Van Nistelrooy will be in the visiting dugout tomorrow and, like Amorim, needs a win after a difficult run of results.
The East Midlands club have won just one of their last 10 league games and a cup run would provide some welcome respite.
The Dutchman is looking forward to returning to Old Trafford.
“It’s special to go back there,” he said. “I have history as a player, as an assistant, as a caretaker.”
Manchester United v Leicester team news
United will be without Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw.
Martinez suffered an ACL injury against Palace while Shaw has suffered a minor setback after a succession of niggling injuries.
January signings Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven are both available.
Wilfred Ndidi has been declared fit for Leicester while Van Nistelrooy has confirmed 15-year-old Jeremy Monga and 17-year-old Jake Evans will be part of the squad.
Manchester United v Leicester expected line-ups
Manchester United: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, De Ligt, Dalot, Dorgu; Fernandes, Mainoo; Diallo, Garnacho, Hojlund
Leicester City: Hermansen; Coulibaly, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Winks, Soumare, Ndidi; Ayew, De Cordova-Reid, Vardy
How to watch Manchester United v Leicester City: Live stream, TV channel
The game will be shown live on terrestrial television. ITV will screen it from 7.30pm UK time. The game kicks-off at 8pm.
Manchester United v Leicester City – the stats
- Manchester United have won their last 5 home matches in a row in the FA Cup while scoring more than 2.5 goals
- Manchester United have won 11 of their last 13 matches in the FA Cup while scoring more than 1.5 goals
- The last team to beat Manchester United in an FA Cup tie at Old Trafford in normal time was Arsenal in 2015
- In 3 of the last 4 Manchester United matches in the FA Cup, the total number of goals was over 6.5
- Leicester won the last FA Cup meeting between the sides, in 2021
- Leicester have lost 7 of their last 8 matches while scoring less than 1.5 goals
- Leicester have lost their last 5 away matches in a row while scoring less than 1.5 goals
Prediction
United have been a model of inconsistency this season but we feel they will be too strong for a Leicester side whose priority remains Premier League survival.
There will be no happy homecoming for Ruud.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Leicester City
