Manchester United are set to host Leicester City at Old Trafford in a highly anticipated FA Cup fourth round clash on Friday, 7 February 2025. The match, kicking off at 20:00 GMT, presents an opportunity for the Red Devils to continue their defence of the trophy they won last season.
Historical Context
This fixture marks the fourth FA Cup meeting between these two sides, with United holding the historical advantage. The Red Devils triumphed in the first two encounters – a 3-1 victory in the 1962-63 final and a 2-1 win in the 1975-76 fifth round. However, Leicester claimed victory in their most recent cup clash, securing a 3-1 win in the 2020-21 quarter-final en route to lifting the trophy for the first time in their history.
Overall, United have dominated this fixture across all competitions, winning 72 of the 139 meetings between the sides, with Leicester victorious on 36 occasions and 31 matches ending in draws.
The Van Nistelrooy Factor
The match carries additional intrigue with the return of Ruud van Nistelrooy to Old Trafford, this time in the opposing dugout. The Dutch legend, who netted 150 goals in 219 appearances for United, enjoyed a brief stint as interim manager earlier this season before taking the reins at Leicester.
Van Nistelrooy’s intimate knowledge of the United squad, gained during his time as assistant to Erik ten Hag, adds an extra layer of tactical intrigue to the encounter. His return is sure to evoke a warm reception from the Stretford End, regardless of the match outcome.
Unprecedented Opportunity
United find themselves in a unique position, having already defeated Leicester twice at Old Trafford this season – a 3-0 Premier League victory and a 5-2 triumph in the Carabao Cup. A win in this FA Cup tie would mark an unprecedented achievement for the Red Devils, who have never before secured three home victories against a single opponent in one season.
The last Premier League side to accomplish this feat was Manchester City against Chelsea in the 2022-23 campaign, highlighting the rarity of such an opportunity.
Bruno Fernandes: Cup Specialist
United’s talismanic midfielder Bruno Fernandes will be looking to continue his impressive FA Cup form. The Portuguese international has been directly involved in 10 goals in his last 10 FA Cup appearances, scoring seven and assisting three.
Fernandes played a crucial role in United’s cup success last season, providing a goal and an assist in the semi-final against Coventry City before delivering a sublime pass for Kobbie Mainoo’s decisive goal in the final victory over Manchester City.
Team News and Predictions
United will be without Lisandro Martinez, who suffered a knee injury in the recent Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace. However, new signings Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven are available for selection, potentially providing fresh options for Ruben Amorim’s side.
Given the importance of the FA Cup to United’s season and the extended break following this fixture, Amorim is expected to field a strong lineup. Altay Bayindir is likely to continue as the cup goalkeeper, while the defensive trio of Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, and Leny Yoro could start in the absence of Martinez.
Conclusion
As United aim to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup, this match against Leicester City represents more than just a step towards silverware. It’s an opportunity to assert dominance over a Premier League rival, a chance for Van Nistelrooy to prove himself against his former club, and a test of Amorim’s tactical acumen in his first cup tie at Old Trafford.
With the rich history between these clubs and the added narratives surrounding the fixture, football fans can expect an enthralling encounter under the floodlights at the Theatre of Dreams.
