Manchester United are back in FA Cup action this weekend when they host Leicester City.
It has been a slow burner of a season for Manchester United, but the cup competitions give Ruben Amorim and his side something to work towards.
After winning the FA Cup last week, beating Manchester City in the final, United go into the game as defending champions. Leicester City haven’t had the best of starts under Ruud van Nistelrooy, but they will be on the hunt for a cup upset.
Winning the FA Cup is another route into the Europa League, and United might need to go all the way as they sit in the bottom half of the Premier League.
The FA Cup gave United fans something to celebrate last season. Only time will tell if the Reds can defend their crown.
Here are five things to watch out for when United host Leicester City on Friday night.
Return of Ruud van Nistelrooy
Manchester United legend Van Nistelrooy returns to Old Trafford, as his Leicester City side provide the opposition in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The United legend was our caretaker boss earlier this season, guiding the team to two wins and one draw after Erik ten Hag was sent his marching orders.
Now he’s part of the opposition, with Leicester City being his first job in the Premier League.
Recent meetings
United have already played Leicester twice this season, winning on both occasions.
The Reds beat Leicester 5-2 in the Carabao Cup fourth round meeting in late October and they will be looking for the same this time around. Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes scored braces that night, as Van Nistelrooy took charge before Amorim’s arrival.
Van Nistelrooy was in charge again when United beat Leicester 3-0 in the Premier League.
Leicester won the most recent FA Cup meeting between the two teams, back in 2021. Brendan Rodgers was manager at the time and goals from Kelechi Iheanacho (x2) and Youri Tielemans put the Foxes in the semi-finals.
Chance to make history
Manchester United have never won three home games against one club in a season before, but that could change if they beat Leicester City this time around.
It’s a recent Man City and Chelsea achieved in 2022/23 against fellow Premier League opponents.
Expect goals
Although United have struggled for goals in recent times and there’s ongoing questions around the output of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, this is a fixture that usually has goals.
We saw that during October’s Carabao Cup clash. Seven goals in total, including a stunning Casemiro strike from distance.
That was an entertaining tie and United will be hoping for another comfortable win over the Foxes.
Bruno Fernandes to star vs Leicester City
Bruno Fernandes remains one of United’s most influential players. That has been evident in previous meetings against Leicester City.
The Portugal international scored a brace last time out in this fixture and should also come into consideration given he has 10 goal contributions in 10 games against the Foxes.
Fernandes will be looking to add to that tally in the upcoming FA Cup fixture.
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