Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to make his return to Old Trafford, this time as the manager of Leicester City. The Dutchman previously had a brief spell in charge of Manchester United following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal. However, his return comes at a challenging time, with Leicester struggling for form. Their difficulties were highlighted in a heavy 4-0 defeat to Everton in their most recent Premier League outing.
While Leicester’s primary focus remains avoiding relegation, the FA Cup offers them a much-needed respite from their league troubles. A strong showing in the competition could provide a morale boost to a squad desperately in need of confidence.
For Manchester United, the FA Cup holds just as much importance. New manager Rúben Amorim has endured a rough start to life at Old Trafford, already setting an unwanted record as the fastest United boss to lose five home games. Their latest disappointment came in a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, leaving them in 13th place in the Premier League. With league success looking increasingly unlikely, their best hopes of securing silverware this season lie in the FA Cup and Europa League. A strong cup run could also alleviate some of the pressure on Amorim as he continues to implement his tactical approach at the club.
One of United’s few consistent performers this season has been Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese playmaker has contributed 11 goal involvements in 23 league matches, scoring five goals and assisting six. This makes him the team’s leading assist provider and their second-highest scorer behind Amad Diallo.
Fernandes has particularly impressed against Leicester, playing a crucial role in United’s previous victories over them this season. In the EFL Cup, he scored twice and created four chances in a 5-2 win, while in the Premier League, he registered both a goal and an assist in a 3-0 triumph. Given Leicester’s defensive vulnerabilities, he could once again prove decisive.
Leicester’s defensive struggles have been one of their biggest weaknesses this season. The Foxes have conceded two or more goals in nine of their last ten matches across all competitions. They also have the worst away defensive record in the league, having shipped 32 goals on the road. With Fernandes’ expertise in set-pieces, including penalties, free kicks, and corners, his creative influence could be a key factor in deciding the match.
Amorim, who favors a 3-4-3 formation, may consider making tactical adjustments based on his squad’s availability and performance. His philosophy revolves around structured roles in and out of possession, but with United’s inconsistency, some flexibility may be required to achieve better results.
Ultimately, this match presented Manchester United with a prime opportunity to exploit Leicester’s defensive weaknesses and secure progression in the FA Cup. However, with Van Nistelrooy eager to make an impact on his return to Old Trafford, Leicester had the potential to pose a challenge despite their poor form.
The FA Cup fourth-round clash between the two sides ended in dramatic fashion, with Manchester United securing a 2-1 victory. Leicester initially took the lead, but United staged a comeback, culminating in a controversial injury-time header from Harry Maguire to seal the win.
This result further compounded Leicester’s struggles under van Nistelrooy. Since his appointment on November 29, 2024, the Foxes have endured a tough run, including their recent heavy defeat to Everton. Currently sitting in 18th place in the Premier League, their relegation fears continue to grow.
Manchester United, despite their own difficulties under Amorim, will take confidence from this victory. Sitting 13th in the league, the FA Cup triumph provided a much-needed boost for the club and its supporters. Fernandes once again played a crucial role in United’s attacking play, reinforcing his status as the team’s most influential player.
Both teams will meet again in the Premier League on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 12:00 PM PDT. With both sides eager to improve their league standings, this fixture will be of great significance to their respective campaigns.
