Leicester City have won only two of 27 visits to Old Trafford since 1973, their most-recent victory at the Theatre of Dreams in front of a crowd coming in 1998, so can the Foxes upset the odds against Manchester United in this League Cup tie?
Manchester United vs Leicester City Preview
It's the start of another new era for Manchester United. On Monday morning, it was confirmed that Erik ten Hag had been sacked, following Sunday's 2-1 defeat at West Ham, leaving the Red Devils languishing down in 14th place. Across all competitions, Man United have won only four of 14 fixtures so far this season, smashing Barnsley 7-0 in the previous round of this competition, but when that's the highlight of your campaign, that's a sign all is not well.
READ MORE: Erik ten Hag has been sacked as Manchester United manager
So, a club who've entered more eras than Taylor Swift post-Sir Alex Ferguson, will commence another here, with Ruud van Nistelrooy taking interim charge for the first time. The Dutchman will surely see this as an audition; not only is he a legendary Man United player, scoring 150 goals in 219 appearances, he's already had success as a manager, hoisting aloft both the Johan Cruijff Schaal and KNVB Beker in charge of PSV Eindhoven during the 2022/23 season. Man United have reached, at least, the semi-finals of the League Cup on five occasions during the last decade, winning the competition in 2017 and 2023, so will they march on through to the last eight again?
Leicester City meantime captured this trophy in both '97 and 2000, more-recently featuring in the quarter-finals five times since 2017/18, so can they upset the odds and get there again? So far, the Foxes have hammered Tranmere Rovers 4-0, before a bizarre victory over Walsall last month, in which they played out a very underwhelming goalless draw at Bescot, before prevailing 3-0 in the subsequent shootout, with Danny Ward saving all three of the Saddlers' spot-kicks.
In the Premier League meantime, Steve Cooper's side sit 15th, just one place below their significantly more illustrious hosts, thanks largely to successive victories over Bournemouth and Southampton earlier this month, although Friday night's 3-1 home defeat at the hands of local rivals Nottingham Forest did not go down well with the fine folk on Filbert Way. Thus, it seems unlikely Leicester will be able to contain Man United's inevitable new-manager bounce.
Manchester United vs Leicester City Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 137
- Manchester United Wins: 70. Draws: 31. Brentford Wins: 36.
Manchester United Team News
First and foremost, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Antony are injured. So, even if Ruud van Nistelrooy would like to make wholesale changes, he's probably not able to. In goal, Altay Bayındır has made only two appearances since signing 13 months ago, so could he be given a rare opportunity? Similarly, Harry Amass, Jack Fletcher and Ethan Wheatley were all on the bench on Sunday, so could they or any other youngsters come into the side. Amad and Joshua Zirkzee both came off the bench at the London Stadium, hoping to be in from the start here.
READ MORE: Manchester United advancing on deal to appoint Ruben Amorim as manager
Manchester United predicted lineup vs Leicester City: (4-1-4-1): Bayındır; Dalot, Lindelöf, Martínez, Mazraoui; Ugarte, Eriksen, Fernandes, Garnacho, Rashford; Højlund.
Manchester United Player to Watch vs Leicester City
Marcus Rashford's brace against Barnsley last month took his career tally to 16 EFL Cup goal, while he's scored more frequently against Leicester (8) than against any other opponent in his career.
Leicester City Team News
Steve Cooper is set to give his fringe players a run-out, including goalkeeper Danny Ward, who's started both EFL Cup ties to date, despite not featuring in a league fixture since March 2023. Conor Coady and Luke Thomas, who scored the winner at Old Trafford in 2021, could come into defence, the latter deputising for Victor Kristiansen who has a groin strain. Oliver Skipp, Bilal El Khannouss, Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Édouard are also likely to be rotated in
Leicester City predicted lineup vs Manchester United: (4-3-3): Ward; Pereira, Okoli, Coady, Thomas; Soumaré, Skipp, De Cordova-Reid, El Khannouss, J Ayew; Édouard.
Leicester City Player to Watch vs Manchester United
Jamie Vardy bagged his fourth goal of the campaign on Friday night but, if he's to add to his six career goals against Manchester United, it'll likely have to come from the bench.
Manchester United vs Leicester City Prediction
We're expecting Manchester United to put in their best performance of the season here, as is so often the case when a manager is sacked, with a heavily-rotated Leicester unable to prevent the Red Devils from claiming a comfortable victory: Manchester United 3-1 Leicester City.
Manchester United vs Leicester City FAQs - Carabao Cup
How to watch Manchester United vs Leicester City Carabao Cup game on TV channel?
Manchester United vs Leicester City Carabao Cup game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Sky Sports+
- USA: Paramount+, fuboTV & CBS Sports Network.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Manchester United vs Leicester City Carabao Cup game on live streaming?
Manchester United vs Leicester City Carabao Cup game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Sky Sports+
- USA: Paramount+, fuboTV & CBS Sports Network.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Manchester United vs Leicester City in the Carabao Cup?
Manchester United vs Leicester City in the Carabao Cup takes place on Wednesday 30 October 2024, with kick off at 19:45 (GMT), 15:45 (ET) & 12:45 (PDT).