Manchester United are aiming to bounce again from their underwhelming defeat to Crystal Palace after they host Leicester Metropolis within the FA Cup fourth spherical on Friday evening.
The Pink Devils added to a litany of Outdated Trafford disappointments on Sunday as they have been overwhelmed 2-0 by the Eagles following Jean-Philippe Mateta’s brace, leaving them thirteenth within the Premier League and solely a mere 12 factors above Friday’s opponents Leicester within the relegation zone.
With their Premier League marketing campaign in tatters, maybe the FA Cup can present acquainted salvation for Manchester United this time period. With strain rising on Ruben Amorim, success on the earth’s oldest cup competitors might spare his blushes – because it did for predecessor Erik ten Hag final season.
Right here is how United might line up for his or her duel with Leicester within the FA Cup fourth spherical.
GK: Altay Bayindir – Having confirmed Man Utd’s saviour within the third spherical penalty shootout win at Arsenal, the deputy might be handed one other begin in between the sticks towards a Leicester facet struggling for targets.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt – De Ligt solely made a quick cameo towards Palace final trip and must be refreshed for a battle with Jamie Vardy. The Leicester ahead remains to be a menace at 38 years outdated.
CB: Harry Maguire – The previous Leicester defender will play his ninth match towards his outdated employers and also will be tasked with stifling ex-teammate Vardy at Outdated Trafford.
CB: Leny Yoro – An ACL damage to Lisandro Martinez is a devastating blow for Man Utd however they do have depth at centre-back with Yoro and Victor Lindelof accessible to step in for the South American.
RM: Diogo Dalot – The Portuguese has been one of many extra dependable performers this season however might want to present constant offensive assist towards Leicester – one thing he is much less expert at doing.
CM: Manuel Ugarte – The tough-tackling midfielder has been an Amorim favorite since their reunion at Outdated Trafford and he is began to point out glimpses of his high quality following a sluggish begin in Manchester.
CM: Bruno Fernandes – Man Utd’s skipper has been taking part in in a deeper function throughout latest matches as Kobbie Mainoo advances up the pitch. He ought to function as playmaker towards the Foxes, whom he has scored towards 3 times this season already.
LM: Patrick Dorgu – Having signed for £29.2m from Lecce late within the January window, the Denmark worldwide might be handed his debut down the left-hand facet on Friday. With Luke Shaw having suffered a brand new damage setback, it is paramount he makes a quick begin in English soccer.
AM: Amad Diallo – The Ivorian has usually been Man Utd’s difference-maker this season however has been muted in latest weeks. He will probably be eager to get again among the many targets towards an extremely fragile Leicester defence.
AM: Alejandro Garnacho – The pure winger scored in each Outdated Trafford duels with Leicester earlier this time period and can need to finish his exceptional 16-game purpose drought on Friday night.
ST: Joshua Zirkzee – Kobbie Mainoo bizarrely operated as centre-forward on the weekend however Amorim might utilise an orthodox quantity 9 on Friday. Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have each didn’t encourage this time period, however the Dutchman has proven larger high quality in latest weeks.
