A place in the EFL Cup quarter-finals will be up for grabs when Manchester United and Leicester City clash at Old Trafford in the round of 16 on Wednesday.
The 2024/25 EFL Cup has resumed this week with the round of 16. Wednesday will bring the curtains down on the latest phase, with several Premier League clubs facing off against each other. One of those fixtures will feature Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford, with the former coming off a tumultuous end to the Erik ten Hag era.
INEOS would have hoped for a longer run alongside Erik ten Hag after putting their faith in him during the summer by handing him an extended contract. However, Manchester United endured a dreadful start to the 2024/25 season, with the latest setback coming in the 2-1 defeat to West Ham United this past weekend.
That result left Manchester United in the 14th spot in the Premier League standings. While the Red Devils were unlucky to lose to West Ham, INEOS pulled the plug on Erik ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford, with Ruud van Nistelrooy taking charge as the interim boss. Meanwhile, a new manager might soon arrive, with Ruben Amorim closing in on joining the Premier League club.
As for Leicester City, the recent winning run ended this past weekend, with Steve Cooper’s suffering a 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest. Meanwhile, the Foxes entered the EFL Cup in the second round, beating Tranmere Rovers 4-0 before needing a penalty shootout to get past Wallsall and set up a date with Manchester United, who trounced Barnsley 7-0 in the third round.
The most recent clash featuring Manchester United and Leicester City in the EFL Cup came in 2002, with the Red Devils clinching a 2-0 win in the third round. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
Ruud van Nistelrooy has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his first game in charge of the home side. Against Leicester City on Wednesday, the Manchester United interim manager will be bereft of the services of eight first-team players.
Noussair Mazraoui is the latest absentee, with the Moroccan international picking up a knee injury this past weekend against West Ham United. Mazraoui has joined Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro (foot), Harry Maguire (calf), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Kobbie Mainoo (hamstring), Mason Mount (knock), and Antony (ankle) on the sidelines.
Andre Onana is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Leicester City on Wednesday. The backline should feature Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Victor Lindelof, and Lisandro Martinez.
As for the midfield unit, Manuel Ugarte should pair up with Christian Eriksen in the double pivot. Bruno Fernandes will likely reprise the no. 10 role, with Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho being the two wide attackers. Finally, Joshua Zirkzee will lead the line for the home side against Leicester City this midweek.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, de Ligt, Lindelof, Martinez; Ugarte, Eriksen; Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Zirkzee
Leicester City
Like his counterpart in the Manchester United dugout, Steve Cooper has a few pressing issues to worry about ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. The Leicester City manager will be without five first-team players on Wednesday.
Victor Kristiansen is the most notable absentee, with the first-choice left-back recovering from a groin injury. The Danish international accompanies Jakub Stolarczyk (ankle), Jannik Vestergaard (ankle), Hamza Choudhury (shoulder), and Patson Daka (ankle) on the sidelines.
Danny Ward will take his spot between the sticks, with Leicester City lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Manchester United on Wednesday. The backline should feature James Justin, Conor Coady, Caleb Okoli, and Luke Thomas.
As for the midfield unit, Boubakary Soumare will make a rare start, lining up alongside Oliver Skipp in the double pivot. Bilal El Khannouss will reprise the no. 10 role, with Kasey McAteer and Bobby De Cordova-Reid being the two wide attackers. Finally, Odsonne Edouard will likely lead the line for the away side against Manchester United.
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 previously locked horns 101 times, with the Red Devils winning 52 times (D24 L25).
- Manchester United have won their last two games against Leicester City but have not beaten the Foxes in three successive games since a run of four between August 2018 and July 2020.
- Leicester City have not scored in their last two matches against Manchester United. The Foxes have not gone three consecutive games without a goal against the Red Devils since a run of three between February 2019 and July 2020.
- Victory on Wednesday will mean Leicester City will have reached the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup for the third time in the last four years.
Player to Watch
Amad Diallo
Very few Manchester United players, if at all, downed their tools under Erik ten Hag despite the faltering results. However, Amad Diallo was one of the players who had the right to feel aggrieved under the tutelage of the recently sacked Dutch manager.
The Ivory Coast international was hot off the blocks in the 2024/25 season but did not do much wrong to suddenly become a bit-part player for Manchester United. So, it was hardly surprising when Diallo looked demotivated when coming off the bench in a recent game. However, a fresh start is on the cards, and the 22-year-old will be eager to stamp his authority in the new era.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-1 Leicester City
New manager bounce is a powerful phenomenon, and Manchester United fans have grown accustomed to it in the past decade. The Erik ten Hag era ended in a whimper, with the Dutch tactician leaving with unfulfilled promises and potential.
However, with a new era beckoning, the players will be eager to make their mark and impress incoming manager Ruben Amorim. Ruud van Nistelrooy will have only one match in charge of Manchester United, and he will give the players the freedom to express themselves.
However, the familiar defensive issues should resurface and give Leicester City the opportunity to spring a surprise and reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals again. But Manchester United will have enough quality to clinch a spot in the next round, with Amad Diallo making the difference.
