New Delhi: Following their worst home record in 131 years last weekend, Manchester United will host Leicester City at Old Trafford on Friday night in the FA Cup fourth round. Ruben Amorim has now lost five of his seven home league games, more than his countryman Jose Mourinho did throughout his two and a half years at the club. He needs to make up for that streak against his fellow Premier League underdogs.
Last Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford ended Man United’s run of terrible form, which hasn’t been this awful since the 19th century. Given that they have won 16 of their past 18 FA Cup matches at Old Trafford in regular time—the last visiting team to win here was Arsenal in the 2014–15 campaign—and the fact that they are playing at home, this is a favorable draw for the hosts. Ironically, the opposition manager was the one who earned both of Man United’s victories over Leicester, a team they have already defeated several times this season.
Before being named manager of Leicester a few weeks later, Ruud van Nistelrooy was in the dugout for United during their 5-2 and 3-0 victories in the EFL Cup and Premier League, respectively. For the first time in their history, United could defeat a team three times at home in a single season. However, despite winning their first two FA Cup meetings with the Foxes, they lost their most recent one in 2021, when Leicester defeated them in a quarterfinal match at the King Power en route to winning the trophy.
Leicester lost to Chelsea in the Championship quarterfinals the previous season, but the team’s morale is much lower than it was, and the Foxes are performing much worse today despite Man United’s difficulties. After being dragged back to reality at Goodison Park last weekend, it seems unlikely that they will even extend their winning streak to seven victories from their previous eight fourth-round matches. Everton’s 4-0 thumping of Leicester just one week after their thrilling victory over Tottenham Hotspur on the road gave the Toffees a nine-point lead in the fight to avoid relegation.
Our #FACup defence continues today 🏆#MUFC pic.twitter.com/zBGwGOjTlR
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 7, 2025
Team news
A few days after choosing Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine over Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, Amorim’s desire for a striker was not fulfilled. Marcus Rashford departed Man United at the end of the transfer window, but Alejandro Garnacho remained. Tyrell Malacia has gone for PSV Eindhoven on loan, and Lisandro Martinez’s season is over when he tore his ACL in last weekend’s loss to Palace, joining Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans, and Mason Mount on the sidelines.
Altay Bayindir is also expected to make a rare start, particularly following his heroics in the third-round victory over Arsenal, while Patrick Dorgu, who came as one of their late window additions, may make his debut here.
As for Leicester, Jakub Stolarczyk might return to the team here as Mads Hermansen, who hasn’t participated in either cup competition yet, made his comeback following a six-week hiatus at Everton last weekend. Ricardo Pereira and Abdul Fatawu are still sidelined due to long-term setbacks, but Wilfred Ndidi is getting closer to making a comeback from a thigh injury.
Facundo Buonanotte and Stephy Mavididi might be drafted in out wide, while Jannik Vestergaard is probably going to lose his spot in the starting lineup as Van Nistelrooy may play more offensive after their embarrassing performance against Everton.
Predicted lineups
Manchester United(3-4-2-1): Bayindir; De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot; Fernandes, Amad; Hojlund
Leicester Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Stolarczyk; Justin, Coady, Faes, Kristiansen; Soumare, Winks; Bounanotte, El Khannouss, Mavididi; Vardy
When and where to watch?
Manchester United will be welcoming the Foxes at Old Trafford and the match will begin at 1:30 A.M. (IST). You can catch all the live action on Sony LIV, where it will be streaming live, and for television, Sony Ten 2 and Ten 2 HD will be broadcasting it live.
Early prediction
Both the sides have struggled a little too much this season in the league, but Manchester United are in a better spot with Leicester currently in the relagation zone. So the prediction here would be a 2-1 win for the hosts, as they will progress through to the next round.
Manchester United welcome Leicester City at Old Trafford as the two sides prepare for their exciting FA Cup fourth round clash. Here’s a look at the team news, where to watch and other details for the match. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
