Reigning FA Cup holders Manchester United seek to continue their title defence at Old Trafford, having dispatched Arsenal in the previous round thanks to a nerve-shredding penalty shootout win. Although opponents Leicester are struggling to build momentum in the league, the Foxes did put six past Queens Park Rangers in their last FA Cup outing.
Given both sides’ recent patchy form, this promises to be an intriguing encounter. ITV/STV have exclusive UK broadcasting rights to this all-Premier League encounter, with online viewers able to watch the match live or after the event on ITVX/STV Player.
Manchester United vs Leicester key information
Date: Friday, February 7th
Kick-off time: 8.00pm (GMT)
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Referee: Michael Salisbury
TV Channels: ITV/STV (UK) | ITVX/STV Player (UK) | ESPN+ (USA)
Odds:
Bet365 – Manchester United (33/100), Draw (19/4), Leicester (13/2)
Ladbrokes – Manchester United (33/100), Draw (9/2), Leicester (7/1)
Manchester United team news
The Red Devils are currently facing several defensive challenges, with Lisandro Martínez joining left-back Luke Shaw and experienced centre-back Jonny Evans on the injury list. The Argentine international made an emotional exit during Manchester United’s disappointing defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday, visibly shaken by what appears to be a long-term issue.
Ongoing muscle injuries have seen Shaw and Evans miss plenty of football, with neither player featuring since before Christmas. Mason Mount’s injury torment continues, having still not recovered from incurring a hamstring strain picked up against bitter rivals Manchester City in mid-December.
Turkish ‘keeper Altay Bayındır – United's penalty hero in both regulation time and the subsequent shootout against third-round opponents Arsenal – is expected to start. New arrival Patrick Dorgu could feature, having signed from French outfit Lens last week.
Manchester United predicted line-up v Leicester (3-4-2-1)
Coach: Ruben Amorim
Altay Bayındır(GK); Lenny Yoro; Harry Maguire; Matthijs de Ligt; Diogo Dalot; Manuel Ugarte; Kobbie Mainoo; Noussair Mazraoui; Bruno Fernandes; Amad Diallo; Rasmus Højlund
Leicester team news
Returning to Old Trafford for the first time since ironically beating the Foxes in his capacity as Manchester United’s interim manager, Ruud Van Nistelrooy has no fresh injury concerns.
Long-term absentees Ricardo Pereira (hamstring) and Abdul Fatawu (cruciate ligament) are still navigating through their respective rehabilitations, but Wilfred Ndidi is almost fit to return. The Nigerian international midfielder had been missing since departing early in the second half of Leicester’s home draw with Brighton back in December.
The East Midlanders presided over a quiet transfer window, but travelling fans may catch another glimpse of recently acquired full-back Woyo Coulibaly. The highly-rated Frenchman has made two substitute appearances following his arrival from Serie A strugglers Parma.
Leicester predicted line-up v Manchester United (4-3-2-1)
Coach: Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Mads Hermansen (GK); James Justin; Wout Faes; Jannik Vestergaard; Victor Kristiansen; Boubakary Soumaré; Harry Winks; Jordan Ayew; Bilal El Khannouss; Bobby De Cordova-Reid; Jamie Vardy
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
The fixture will be televised on ITV and STV, and is available to stream via ITV’s digital streaming services (ITVX and STV player). Live coverage of the match will also be broadcast to American viewers on ESPN+, but a subscription is required to access this platform.
Head-to-Head record
Leicester travel back to the north-west having been convincingly beaten at Goodison Park at the weekend, extending their recent dismal record in the process. The Foxes have lost three of their last four outings, having failed to secure a win since that 6-2 thumping of Championship outfit QPR at the King Power Stadium.
Although experiencing a slight rejuvenation in recent weeks, Manchester United have suffered two consecutive defeats on home turf. Both Brighton and Crystal Palace left Old Trafford with maximum points, but Ruben Amorim can at least take solace from two UEFA Europa League victories and a solid away performance at Fulham.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s first and last matches in caretaker charge of Friday’s opponents ended in Manchester United victories, as Leicester were dumped out of the EFL Cup before losing 3-0 in November’s Premier League contest.
These two sides last met in the FA Cup back in 2021, facing each other in a quarter-final meeting at the King Power Stadium. Leicester would run out 3-1 winners on the day, before going on to win the competition for the very first time. The following season, both teams were eliminated at the fourth-round stage after succumbing to Championship opposition. This was the last time either side failed to reach the FA Cup fifth round – something must give on Friday evening.
Odds for Manchester United v Leicester
Manchester United are heavy favourites to emerge triumphant from Friday’s FA Cup showdown, with Bet365 offering odds of 17/100 for the home side to progress to the next round.
Both side have struggled in front of goal in recent weeks, so most bookmarkers are predicting a relatively low-scoring affair. Ladbrokes have priced the Under 3.5 goals market at 67/100, with Coral applying odds of 11/10 on there being more than three goals at Old Trafford.