Manchester United have won each of their last four meetings with Leicester, most-recently enjoying a longer winning streak in this fixture 21 years ago.
The Foxes are winless in 16 visits to Old Trafford with supporters in attendance, dating back to 1998. In fact, they were already smashed there 5-2 and 3-0 this season.
Manchester United vs Leicester City Preview
For the third time this season, Manchester United and Leicester City go head-to-head at Old Trafford. Just 11 days apart in the autumn, the Red Devils demolished the Foxes 5-2 in the EFL Cup and then 3-0 in the Premier League. This notably was when Ruud van Nistelrooy was interim Man United manager, becoming Leicester boss less than three weeks later.
So now, can the man who scored 150 goals for Man United help knock them out of the FA Cup?
The holders very nearly fell at the first hurdle in this season's competition, battling beyond Arsenal in North London, despite playing an hour, including extra time and down to ten-men, following Diogo Dalot's red card.
The tie was decided by a penalty shootout and, given that Man United scored all five of their spot-kicks, Altay Bayındır was the hero, making one save, allowing Joshua Zirkzee to convert the decisive kick.
This remains a very rare highlight for Rúben Amorim so far, with his team beaten yet again on Sunday. This time, it was a 2-0 defeat by Crystal Palace, meaning the Red Devils have lost seven of their last 11 Premier League matches to leave them 13th.
Thus, the only way the Red Devils can snatch success from this season is by winning the Europa League or perhaps retaining the FA Cup, progressing through this fourth round tie of paramount importance.
Leicester City won this competition for the very first time in 2021, hammering QPR 6-2 in the previous round, with Wout Faes's long-range strike the pick of the goals through thick fog at the King Power.
However, Premier League survival remains the Foxes' primary priority, but their hopes of achieving this suffered a serious setback on Saturday, smashed 4-0 by Everton at Goodison, conceding within the first ten seconds.
Ruud van Nistelrooy's side had surprisingly beaten Spurs a week earlier, but that's now eight league defeats in nine for Leicester, who remain in the bottom three, now two points adrift Wolves and safety. The Foxes did beat Man United en route to FA Cup glory four seasons ago, so can they cause a major Friday night upset by leaving Old Trafford victorious?
Manchester United vs Leicester City Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 139.
- Manchester United Wins: 72. Draws: 31. Leicester City Wins: 36.
Manchester United Team News
Patrick Dorgu is expected to make his debut at left-wing-back, having arrived from Lecce, while Altay Bayındır will be back in goal, following his third round heroics.
Elsewhere, Lisandro Martínez suffered a potentially season-ending injury on Sunday, a major blow, while Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount remain sidelined, so Matthijs de Ligt is set to come into defence.
Possibly due to his lack of faith in his strikers, Rúben Amorim started with both Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee on the bench against Crystal Palace, but surely one or the other will return to the lineup this time.
Manchester United predicted lineup vs Leicester City: (4-2-3-1): Bayındır; Maguire, de Ligt, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu; Amad, Garnacho, Zirkzee.
Manchester United Player to Watch vs Leicester City
Of Bruno Fernandes' nine goals this season, a third have come during home wins over Leicester, while he was the scorer in the previous round at Arsenal, so will he add to his tally?
Leicester City Team News
Ruud van Nistelrooy picked his strongest side against QPR in round three, thereby likely to do the same again here, given that Leicester's next fixture isn't for another eight days.
This will feature Mads Hermansen in goal, after he returned to the team at the weekend, having missed the previous eight matches due to a groin injury, a big boost, not that this helped much at Goodison.
Ricardo Pereira, Wilfried Nidid and Abdul Fatawu remain sidelined long-term, while Woyo Coulibaly has come off the bench during the last two matches, hoping for his first start at right-back, having arrived from Parma.
Bilal El Khannouss was on target at Old Trafford in October, also the match-winner against Tottenham two weeks ago, so could he be key figure here too?
Leicester City predicted lineup vs Manchester United: (4-3-3): Hermansen; Coulibaly, Vestergaard, Faes, Kristiansen; Winks, Soumaré, J Ayew, El Khannouss, De Cordova-Reid; Vardy.
Leicester City Player to Watch vs Manchester United
The very first of Jamie Vardy's 143 Premier League goals came against Man United, on target during a famous 5-3 victory in 2014, scoring against them six times overall, so can he add to this tally?
Manchester United vs Leicester City Prediction
Despite their recent miserable form at home, we cannot see Leicester causing Man United too many problems, hence why we're forecasting a comfortable victory for the Red Devils: Manchester United 3-1 Leicester City.
Manchester United vs Leicester City FAQs - FA Cup
How to watch Manchester United vs Leicester City FA Cup game on TV channel?
Manchester United vs Leicester City FA Cup game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: ITV1
- USA: ESPN+
- Canada: Sportsnet World Now
How to watch Manchester United vs Leicester City FA Cup game on live streaming?
Manchester United vs Leicester City FA Cup game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: ITVX
- USA: ESPN+
- Canada: Sportsnet World Now
What is the date and kick-off time for Manchester United vs Leicester City in the FA Cup?
Manchester United vs Leicester City takes place on Friday 7 February 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (GMT), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PST).