Leicester City will clash with fellow Premier League strugglers Manchester United at Old Trafford in an FA Cup fixture this Friday.
Man United sit 13th in the league standings, while the Foxes find themselves in the relegation zone again after briefly escaping it last week. Leicester were thrashed 4-0 by Everton on Saturday, with the Red Devils suffering a similar fate, losing to Crystal Palace 2-0 at home.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy will be particularly fired up for the match, with the Dutchman enjoying his prime days with the Red Devils and also managing them for a couple of games earlier this season. Here’s the predicted Leicester City lineup to face Manchester United on February 7.
Goalkeeper
Mads Hermansen
Hermansen made his much-awaited return from injury against Everton, but his rustiness showed, with the Toffees putting four goals past the Danish keeper.
Defenders
Woyo Coulibaly, Wout Faes, Jannik Vestergaard, Victor Kristiansen
Everton feasted off an atrocious defensive showing by Leicester last game, with the Foxes backline carved open far too easily. However, with Man United expected to dominate proceedings, RVN may deploy the same centre-back pairing, with pace not a major issue in a game where Leicester will sit back and defend deep. Coulibaly may get his first start to make the backline more solid.
Midfielders
Boubakary Soumare, Harry Winks, Bilal El Khannouss
All three midfielders were terrible in their defending and must show significant improvement at Manchester. Although it was not a great performance by El Khannouss, he was still the best player in the last game. He will be keen to make an impression at one of the most iconic stadiums in the world.
Forwards
Facundo Buonanotte, Jamie Vardy, Bobby Decordova-Reid
It’s clear that Van Nistelrooy doesn’t rate Buonanotte too highly, with the Argentine’s minutes since the Dutchman was appointed manager sparse. However, given Leicester’s recent struggles to score goals, it may be time to give him a run of games. Buonanotte was the brightest attacking spark for the Foxes in the season’s opening games.
Leicester City predicted lineup vs Manchester United.
Mads Hermansen, Woyo Coulibaly, Wout Faes, Jannik Vestergaard, Victor Kristiansen; Boubakary Soumare, Harry Winks, Bilal El Khannouss; Facundo Buonanotte, Jamie Vardy, Bobby Decordova-Reid.
