The FA Cup weekend kicks off at Old Trafford as Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United welcome Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City in the fourth round.
This will be the sides’ third encounter this season, having already faced off once in the league and once in the Carabao Cup.
Both managers will be hoping to use this competition as a way of gaining some much-needed momentum for the second half of the season with the teams currently struggling in the Premier League.
It was only last summer that, the now Leicester City boss, Van Nistelrooy was assistant manager under former United boss Erik Ten Hag. After Ten Hag’s dismissal in October Van Nistelrooy was put in as interim manager at Old Trafford for four games in which he played his current side Leicester City twice, beating them 5-2 in the Carabao Cup and 3-0 in the Premier League.
Manchester United Form Guide
The Red Devils have had an inconsistent season, to say the least, and this has been the same story in the last five games with three wins and two defeats in this period.
In this time, Amorim’s men have only scored on six occasions and conceded six times with all their conceded goals coming when playing at home.
Leicester City Form Guide
The Foxes head to Old Trafford coming off the back of a 4-0 defeat to Everton in their previous game and conceding goals has been a constant occurrence in their last five games with 11 conceded in this period.
In their last five games, they have lost three and been victorious only twice, one of which was against Championship side QPR.
Manchester United Team News
Argentinian defender Lisandro Martinez’s season looks to be all but over after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in their defeat to Crystal Palace. Amorim will also be without defenders Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans as the defensive duo continues to recover from lengthy injuries. Mason Mount will also be absent from the squad as the midfielder is still out of action with a muscle injury.
New January signing Patrick Dorgu could make his debut for the hosts after his £25 million move from Lecce in the transfer window. This could be the perfect opportunity for Amorim to give his first signing a taste of English football. Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir is expected to keep his spot in goal after his heroics in the last round against Arsenal.
Leicester City Team News
The visitors will be without a host of players for their trip to Manchester as Harry Souttar, Abdul Fatawu, Odsonne Edouard, and Ricardo Pereira all remain unavailable with injuries.
Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi edges closer to a return to action but will still be unavailable for this FA Cup clash. Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen returned after a six-week layoff against Everton and will likely keep his spot in the side.
Prediction
Manchester United have already beaten the visitors on two occasions at home this season, with both victories being very comfortable. Despite their inconsistent form under Amorim, especially at home, this encounter should be straightforward for the hosts.
This Leicester City side will no doubt cause Manchester United some problems in this game, especially given Manchester United’s defensive frailties in recent weeks. However, it would be a major surprise if the Red Devils did not progress into the next round.
Writers Prediction – Manchester United 3–1 Leicester City