Chris Sutton drops Man Utd vs Leicester City FA Cup prediction as BBC Sport pundit makes ‘absolutely no confidence’ claim

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BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has tipped one team to come out on top between Manchester United and Leicester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Manchester United punched their ticket to the fourth round after Ruben Amorim’s men secured a penalty shootout win over Arsenal at the Emirates last month.

The Red Devils lifted the FA Cup trophy last season under Erik ten Hag, who was axed last October, after beating Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley in May 2024.

Leicester City, meanwhile, will travel to Old Trafford on Friday for their FA Cup tie against Ruben Amorim’s side, with kick-off slated for 8pm UK time.

The Foxes, who are led by United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy, thrashed Queens Park Rangers 6-2 in their third-round FA Cup tie at the King Power in January.

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Sutton on Van Nistelrooy and Leicester City

Speaking in his BBC Sport column, Chris Sutton touched on Ruud van Nistelrooy ahead of the Manchester United legend’s return to Old Trafford.

Van Nistelrooy returned to the Premier League club last summer after he was appointed United assistant manager under Erik ten Hag.

The 48-year-old Dutchman was later made United interim manager after Ten Hag was sacked and Van Nistelrooy led the Red Devils for four matches.

Van Nistelrooy won three matches and picked up one draw in his four-match interim spell before the former United striker left Old Trafford last November.

The United legend was appointed Leicester City manager in 2024 after Steve Cooper was sacked, but Van Nistelrooy has faced a mammoth task at the Foxes.

Leicester have been locked in a Premier League relegation battle this season and the club are 18th in the table, with the Foxes two points away from 17th-place Wolves.

“What a story it is to see Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has won the FA Cup with Manchester United as a player, going back to Old Trafford with Leicester,” Sutton said.

“He was in charge of United when they beat the Foxes there twice in the space of two weeks earlier in the season, but he will want a different outcome this time.

“Leicester are struggling at the moment but this still won’t be straightforward for United.”

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Sutton makes Man Utd vs Leicester prediction

Leicester will arrive at Old Trafford on the back of a crushing 4-0 Premier League defeat to Everton at Goodison Park last Saturday.

Ruben Amorim’s men also tasted defeat last weekend after Crystal Palace inflicted a 2-0 Premier League defeat on United at Old Trafford.

United crossed paths with Leicester earlier this season when Van Nistelrooy was in charge and picked up wins in both the Carabao Cup and the Premier League.

Sutton has now backed the Red Devils to beat Leicester 2-1 in the FA Cup, despite having “absolutely no confidence” in his prediction.

“It’s amazing how many surprise results there have been in the Premier League this season, but the one constant has been that United have been awful throughout,” he continued.

“I have absolutely no confidence in this prediction but, based on how poor Leicester have been recently, and also their heavy defeat by Everton last time out, I think the holders will find a way of winning this tie in 90 minutes to make it into the draw for round five.”