Harry Maguire’s stoppage-time header completed Manchester United’s comeback from a moribund first half, as the Red Devils advanced in the FA Cup by beating Leicester City 2-1 at Old Trafford on Friday.
MORE — Ruben Amorim unhappy with Man Utd in win
The ex-Leicester City back joined substitute Joshua Zirkzee on the score sheet as Man United overcame Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s late first-half rebound goal.
The defending champion Red Devils are the first team to qualify for fifth round.
Maguire gets nice moment but Amorim not fooled by Man United
Ruben Amorim’s post-game words said everything. Manchester United were very poor in the first half and things didn’t turn around much right at the break despite the best intentions of substitute Alejandro Garnacho’s ever-moving legs. The Red Devils took total control inside of the final half hour and the second-half stats show a team with 62% of the ball, all but 0.06 of the xG, and an 11-2 shot attempts edge over the last 45 minutes, but the first half was bad enough that another side would’ve had their FA Cup over before the break. United took two shots registering just 0.04 in the first half against a team averaging just under 2.00 xGA per Premier League match. Throw-in the fact that Maguire’s well-earned winner was likely offside and you get Amorim’s frustration. Yet vibes help a dressing room and the identity of the match-winner could boost the Red Devils, as Maguire is well-liked and has been on this United roller coaster longer than anyone else in the room. Both the back and his boss want more steady time at Old Trafford, stat.
Manchester United vs Leicester City player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Manchester United vs Leicester City player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Manchester United vs Leicester City player ratings (from fotmob.com)
How to watch Manchester United vs Leicester City live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Friday (February 7)
Venue: Old Trafford — Manchester
TV/Streaming: ESPN+
Manchester United vs Leicester City final score: 2-1
Bobby De Cordova-Reid 42', Joshua Zirkzee 68', Harry Maguire 90+2'
Manchester United vs Leicester City live updates — By Nick Mendola
Full time — Manchester United 2-1 Leicester City
Harry Maguire stoppage-time winner! Man United 2-1 Leicester City (90+2')
A Bruno Fernandes free kick is swung over the whole of Leicester’s back line and Harry Maguire pounds a header off the ground and into the goal.
He might’ve been a sliver offside but there’s no VAR in this round of the FA Cup.
Another big moment for Maguire in a Red Devils shirt. What a journey he’s had at Old Trafford.
Manuel Ugarte lucky with two-footed let-off
The Man United center back goes with an airborne two-foot challenge and is very lucky to make only minimal contact,
It’s a yellow in the 84th minute.
Joshua Zirkzee goal (video) — Man United 1-1 Leicester (68th minute)
My goodness did they need that.
Garnacho’s cross is snapped toward goal by Rasmus Hojlund and blocked by Faes.
Much like the Leicester goal, Zirkzee’s first touch at the rebound is in the goal.
The wing play from Garnacho ⚡️
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 7, 2025
Zirkzee provides for @ManUtd in another big #EmiratesFACup moment 🤩 pic.twitter.com/pbo7kyasjQ
How did that not go in? Man United make a sub
Alejandro Garnacho beats James Justin for pace and his shot deflects off a sliding Wout Faes.
It looks headed over the line before a sliding Caleb Okoli hacks it off the underside of the bar and out!
Then Amorim makes another move, bringing on Joshua Zirkzee for Kobbie Mainoo,
The Red Devils still trail 1-0.
HOW HAS THIS NOT GOT IN!?
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 7, 2025
Caleb Okoli with an incredible clearance for @LCFC 🤯#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/IIWZDptApH
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Leicester makes two subs in the 58th minute, bringing on Harry Winks and Woyo Coulibaly for Wilfred Ndidi and Luke Thomas.
For Man United, Alejandro Garnacho took out Patrick Dorgu at the break in a move seemingly by design.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid goal (video)! Man United 0-1 Leicester (42nd minute)
Manuel Ugarte loses the ball near the right touch line in United’s half, and the Foxes spring to life.
Bilal El Khannous uses a quick cut to get space from Leny Yoro, sending a pass back toward the top of the 18.
Wilfred Ndidi snaps a left-footed volley that Onana saves into the air, but De Cordova-Reid is on the doorstep to head the rebound home.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid won't score an easier goal! 😅@LCFC strike first at Old Trafford 😯#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/G8rAwsz2a6
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 7, 2025
Slow burn
Not a ton to like since we last updated this post, and United fans are getting a little antsy with their Red Devils.
You’d expect more danger out of Man United at home to this Leicester, who have been anything but steady at the back this season.
0-0, 26'.
United start well but Leicester fire first
The Red Devils spent much of the first five minutes looking good, but it’s Leicester who first get the pulse pounding as Jordan Ayew cranks a left-footed shot from distance that Andre Onana moves to his left to collect.
0-0, 6'.
Manchester United lineup
Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro, Dalot, Dorgu, Ugarte, Mainoo, Diallo, Fernandes, Hojlund
Leicester City lineup
Hermansen, Justin, Okoli, Faes, Thomas, Soumare, Ndidi, El Khannous, De Cordova-Reid, Ayew, Daka
Manchester United vs Leicester City preview — By Joe Prince-Wright
Both teams need to win to boost confidence, but United boss Ruben Amorim really needs a good cup run to try and build momentum and belief in his ideas. United not only lost 2-0 at home against Crystal Palace on Sunday but they also lost influential defender Lisandro Martinez to an ACL injury. United have lost five of their last six home games in the Premier League and pressure is already building on Amorim, as United also failed to make a big push in the January window to back their new manager with only young wing-back Patrick Dorgu arriving to help the first team.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester were hammered 4-0 at Everton last weekend as they’re in the relegation zone but are just two points from safety. The Foxes are so shaky defensively and have lost twice at Old Trafford already this season. Once in the Premier League 3-0 and once in the League Cup 5-2. Van Nistelrooy was in charge of United on an interim basis for both of those wins and the Dutchman will get a warm reception on his return to United.
Manchester United team news, focus
United’s issues at the back continue with Martinez joining Evans and Shaw on the sidelines. Amorim is likely to go with his strongest possible team, but who will play up front? Last weekend he didn’t start Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee as holding midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was up top as a false nine. Amorim is trying desperately to find some kind of creativity and spark in the final third, while also keeping the defensive balance as his team remain extremely vulnerable on the counter. Not a great combo.
OUT: Mason Mount (thigh), Luke Shaw (foot), Jonny Evans (muscular), Lisandro Martinez (knee)
Leicester City team news, focus
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side are decent on the counter but defensively they were caught out by three long balls over the top and through the middle in the first half at Everton last weekend. But the weekend before they won at Tottenham, so there’s quality in this Leicester side and with Vardy, Ayew, Mavididi, Daka and El Khannouss around, they have plenty of speed and options in attack. Wilfred Ndidi returning from injury is huge for the Foxes.
OUT: Ricardo Pereira (thigh), Abdul Fatawu (knee - out for season)
Manchester United vs Leicester City prediction
United have had Leicester’s number this season but confidence is really low right now for Amorim’s side. They’ll get the job done because Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo or Alejandro Garnacho will probably come up with the goods late on, but don’t expect this to be comfortable. Manchester United 2-1 Leicester City.
