Van Nistelrooy made his debut in the 4-2-3-1 match against Leicester. Nistelrooy is expected to make a decision regarding Bruno Fernandez.
On Wednesday night, Manchester United will play their first game since Erik ten Hag was fired when they host Leicester City at Old Trafford in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
The Foxes will be prepared for much-needed relief from a Premier League relegation battle, while the Red Devils are hoping to gain some momentum after losing to West Ham United on Sunday.
Ten Hag’s tenure as Manchester United’s manager has ended after more than two years in charge at the Theatre of Dreams. The Dutchman’s tenure on the red side of the city was marked by both significant Premier League and European setbacks and domestic cup triumphs.
The Red Devils, who had their worst Premier League season ever in 2023–24 and finished far behind the speed of the title-chasing pack in ninth place, have dramatically faltered in the first few months of the current campaign, winning only three of their first nine games at the top table of English football.
The 54-year-old was given the axe by Manchester United the morning after the team suffered yet another heartbreaking road loss on Sunday afternoon. Goals from Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, West Ham’s summer acquisition, were sufficient to condemn the Manchester visitors to a narrow loss at the London Stadium.
A Ten Hag team that was heavily backed in the summer with a plethora of new players has arguably failed to establish a distinct identity, as evidenced by their one victory in their last eight Premier League and Europa League games. As a result, the club’s management is forced to look for a new coach.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy, a former Red Devils bagman who spent 12 months managing Eredivisie powerhouse PSV Eindhoven to a second-place finish in the 2022–2023 season, would serve as interim manager of Man United until a permanent replacement is found.
After defeating Bournemouth and relegation-threatened Southampton back-to-back earlier in the month, Leicester failed to win three straight games on Friday night when Nottingham Forest came to the King Power Stadium and returned home to the East Midlands with three points.
Chris Wood, a New Zealand international who ages like a fine wine, was the Tricky Trees’ star player. After Jamie Vardy cancelled out Ryan Yates’s opening goal in the first half, the 32-year-old scored twice in the second half to put the game beyond the Foxes.
Steve Cooper, the manager of Leicester, will be happy with a return of six points from the last three top-flight matches despite the disappointment of losing to his former employers. Wednesday’s visitors to Old Trafford are currently five points ahead of 18th-place Ipswich Town in the Premier League standings.
The Foxes have already fought their way through two EFL Cup rounds this season to secure a seat at the Theatre of Dreams. On August 27, Cooper’s team defeated League Two Tranmere Rovers handily before defeating fellow four-tier team Walsall via penalty shootout.
Although supporters’ thoughts will be more focused on the 2026 Premier League victory and the 2021 FA Cup, Leicester is on the verge of a significant milestone this season. The Foxes were the last team to win the EFL Cup at the historic Wembley 25 years ago in February.
Man United’s Antony is still out as he heals from a sprained ankle after being taken off on a stretcher at Fenerbahce’s house earlier this month.
Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro are both out for the Red Devils because of foot and ankle problems, respectively, leaving them with little choices at center-back.
Due to a problematic calf injury, Luke Shaw has not yet played competitively for the hosts this season, but there is optimism that the England international will make a quick comeback.
Due to a knee injury sustained in an awkward collision with West Ham’s Bowen on Sunday afternoon, Noussair Mazraoui will not play in Wednesday’s match.
Due to Leicester’s inability to use striker Patson Daka’s skills due to an ankle injury, Vardy may once again be the visitor’s main goal scorer.
Due to an ankle injury, Jannik Vestergaard, a mainstay for the Foxes during their 2023–24 promotion-winning season, has only made two appearances in the Premier League this year.
Hamza Choudhury is not anticipated to play for the struggling top-flight teams until early December after dislocating his shoulder earlier in the month.
Onana, Dalot, De Ligt, Lindelof, Martinez; Ugarte, Eriksen, Diallo, Fernandes, Garnacho; Zirkzee are all potential starters for Manchester United.
Possible starting lineup for Leicester City: Edouard; Soumare, Skipp, McAteer, El Khannouss, De Cordova-Reid; Ward; Justin, Coady, Okoli, Thomas
