Manchester United will face Leicester City in a key EFL Cup round of 16 clash at Old Trafford, with a spot in the quarter-finals on the line. Both teams are coming off defeats in their recent Premier League fixtures, and this cup tie offers a chance for redemption and progress in the competition.
Manchester United
Manchester United have undergone significant changes, with Ruud van Nistelrooy stepping in as interim manager following Erik ten Hag’s departure after a poor start to the season. The Red Devils are currently 14th in the Premier League standings after a 2-1 loss to West Ham last weekend. Despite their struggles, United delivered a dominant 7-0 win over Barnsley in the previous EFL Cup round, and they’ll hope to continue that form under Van Nistelrooy’s leadership.
Team News: United have several injury issues, with Noussair Mazraoui (knee) joining Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, and others on the sidelines. Despite these absentees, Van Nistelrooy has a solid squad to work with, including star playmaker Bruno Fernandes and young talent Alejandro Garnacho.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Onana; Dalot, de Ligt, Lindelof, Martinez; Ugarte, Eriksen; Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Zirkzee
Leicester City
Leicester have had an up-and-down season under Steve Cooper, with their recent Premier League form being a mixed bag. The Foxes were defeated 3-1 by Nottingham Forest over the weekend, and they’ll hope to bounce back in this cup tie. Leicester entered the EFL Cup in the second round, where they secured a 4-0 win over Tranmere Rovers before edging past Walsall on penalties.
Team News: Leicester will be without five key players, including left-back Victor Kristiansen (groin) and striker Patson Daka (ankle). Steve Cooper is likely to rotate his squad, giving players like Boubakary Soumare and Odsonne Edouard opportunities to impress.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Ward; Justin, Coady, Okoli, Thomas; Soumare, Skipp; McAteer, El Khannouss, De Cordova-Reid; Edouard
Key Stats:
- Manchester United and Leicester City have met 101 times, with United winning 52 of those encounters.
- Manchester United have won their last two games against Leicester but have not managed three consecutive victories over the Foxes since 2020.
- Leicester City have reached the EFL Cup quarter-finals in two of the last three seasons and could make it three out of four with a win here.
Player to Watch: Amad Diallo
Amad Diallo will be looking to make an impact in this game after a challenging start to the season. Under Ruud van Nistelrooy’s new management, the Ivorian winger could get the chance to shine and potentially become a key figure for United moving forward.
Manchester United vs Leicester City Prediction:
Manchester United will be looking to make a statement under their new interim manager, while Leicester will aim to recover from their recent setback. Given the changes in both camps and United’s superior squad depth, the Red Devils are favorites to advance to the quarter-finals.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Leicester City
How to Watch Manchester United vs Leicester City
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