FA Cup Fourth Round Preview: Manchester United vs Leicester
Published:
Match Preview: Manchester United v Leicester City
Date: Friday, 7 February 2025
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Match Overview
Under the floodlights of Old Trafford, the FA Cup weaves its magic once more. It’s a stage for the giants, a theatre for the underdogs, and on Friday night, it is the return of Ruud van Nistelrooy, now leading Leicester City into battle against the club where his legend was forged.
The Dutchman’s new era with the Foxes has been a mix of hope and heartbreak—flashes of brilliance against Spurs but a humbling against Everton. The task ahead is mountainous, the setting daunting, but the FA Cup cares little for narratives already written.
For Manchester United, inconsistency clouds their campaign like an unwelcome mist. A bruising defeat to Crystal Palace last time out means redemption is necessary, not an option. Ruben Amorim knows that this cup is a chance to claim silverware, but only if his men rise to the occasion.
Form Guide & Recent Results
Man United (Last 5 matches in all competitions)
- L 0-2 vs Crystal Palace
- W 2-0 vs Steaua Bucharest (Europa League)
- W 1-0 vs Fulham
- W 2-1 vs Rangers
- L 1-3 vs Brighton
Leicester (Last 5 matches in all competitions)
- L 0-4 vs Everton
- W 2-1 vs Tottenham
- L 0-2 vs Fulham
- L 0-2 vs Crystal Palace
- W 6-2 vs QPR
The Tactical Chessboard
United's approach
Possession. Control. Relentless pressing. Bruno Fernandes, the orchestrator, will pull the strings, threading passes to Garnacho and Højlund. But patience will be key—Leicester will sit deep, waiting to pounce.
Leicester’s Gameplan
Foxes hunt when the moment is right. Jamie Vardy, ageless and ruthless, will lurk, waiting for that single mistake. Expect Harry Winks and Boubakary Soumaré to anchor the midfield, breaking United’s rhythm and feeding the counter.
Set-pieces could define this one—Leicester’s defensive vulnerabilities mean Maguire and De Ligt will be eyeing headers from every corner delivered.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United (3-4-3)
- GK: André Onana
- DEF: Matthijs de Ligt , Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro
- MID: Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes (C), Noussair Mazraoui
- ATT: Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Højlund, Amad Diallo
Leicester (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Mads Hermansen
- DEF: James Justin, Wout Faes, Jannik Vestergaard, Victor Kristiansen
- MID: Harry Winks, Boubakary Soumaré
- ATT MID: Jordan Ayew, Bilal El Khannouss, Bobby De Cordova-Reid
- ST: Jamie Vardy
Key Battles to Watch
- Bruno Fernandes vs. Harry Winks – The heartbeat of each side. Win this battle, win control of the pitch.
- Garnacho vs. Faes & Vestergaard – A test of speed vs. strength. If the Argentine escapes, United will thrive.
- Vardy vs. Maguire – The former Leicester captain faces a familiar foe. Will he experience triumph, or will the Foxes’ talisman strike at Old Trafford once more?
Prediction: Who Writes the Next Chapter?
Leicester will be brave. They will absorb. They will strike on the break. But Old Trafford, on a cup night, is an unforgiving place. With a crowd urging them forward, United should have enough firepower to edge this.
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The cup remembers its legends. But will van Nistelrooy script an upset against the club where he became a king? Old Trafford awaits its answer.
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