Leicester City Vs Manchester United Preview
By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Twitter: ollyzjinx01 Instagram: sir_ajirowo01
What a week it has been for Manchester United—one filled with resilience, redemption, and statement victories. After battling to a hard-fought draw against Arsenal, the Red Devils delivered a dominant 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford, securing their place in the next round of the Europa League. Now, they turn their attention to Leicester City, facing the Foxes at the King Power Stadium for the first time this season. Having already defeated them three times at Old Trafford across all competitions—most recently with a controversial offside winner from Harry Maguire in the FA Cup—Leicester will be hungry for revenge. Expect a fierce battle and an electrifying showdown this Sunday.
Amidst their on-field success, Manchester United also made a groundbreaking announcement this week—the club is set to construct a state-of-the-art 100,000-seater stadium, projected for completion by 2030. While the news has generated excitement, it has also sparked debate among fans. Some argue that after months of cost-cutting, committing £2 billion to a new stadium sends the wrong message, especially when the squad itself needs significant investment. Others see it as a bold and necessary move, one that aligns with the stature of a club like Manchester United and promises substantial long-term benefits.
The stadium is just one piece of a massive regeneration plan for the Old Trafford area, with the potential to inject £7.3 billion into the UK economy annually. The development is expected to create 92,000 new jobs, over 17,000 homes, and attract an estimated 1.8 million additional visitors each year. On Tuesday, conceptual images and scaled models of the proposed stadium and surrounding district were unveiled by Foster + Partners, the architecture firm leading the design. As the project enters its next phase, detailed feasibility studies, consultations, and planning will shape what could become one of the most iconic stadiums in football history.
On the pitch, Rúben Amorim expressed his delight with the team’s victory over Real Sociedad, emphasizing its significance in boosting confidence. Since his arrival, United had struggled to secure consecutive wins, and Amorim hopes this result marks the beginning of a more consistent run. For him, back-to-back victories would signal tangible progress as the team fights through a challenging season.
Amorim also singled out Ayden Heaven for praise, lauding the young defender’s impressive performances. He stressed the need to manage Heaven carefully, as he will face different challenges and remain crucial to the squad, especially given their current lack of depth. With fitness levels vital for survival in both the Premier League and Europa League, Amorim is determined to avoid further injuries. Fortunately, United could receive a boost ahead of the Leicester clash, with key players such as Manuel Ugarte, Harry Maguire, and Mason Mount expected to return.
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After their gritty 1-1 draw with Arsenal, Manchester United shifted focus to the Europa League, where they delivered an emphatic performance against Real Sociedad. Despite scoring two penalties, United showcased their attacking prowess, adding two open-play goals to secure a commanding 4-1 win.
Bruno Fernandes was the star of the night, netting a hat-trick that cemented his place as the all-time leader in goals and assists in Europa League history. The other goalscorers were Diogo Dalot for United and Mikel Oyarzabal for Sociedad. Real Sociedad’s night worsened when they were reduced to ten men following a last-man challenge on Patrick Dorgu, who had an outstanding performance. With this statement win, United not only advanced to the next round but also demonstrated their growing confidence under Amorim.
Meanwhile, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s managerial journey has taken a sharp turn. After winning three of his four matches as Manchester United’s interim boss, he secured the permanent role at Leicester City. However, his tenure at the King Power Stadium has been far more challenging.
Since his opening victory over West Ham United, van Nistelrooy has struggled for consistency, managing just two more league wins. A 2-1 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur remains his only other top-flight victory, while Leicester have suffered 13 defeats in 17 matches. Their most recent setback—a 1-0 loss to Chelsea—marked their sixth consecutive defeat across all competitions.
The Foxes’ form is alarming, leaving them teetering on the brink of relegation. Their defensive frailties have played a major role in their struggles, with 62 goals conceded—only basement side Southampton (68) have a worse record. Their attacking woes are just as concerning, netting only 25 goals in 28 league matches—again, a tally only slightly better than Southampton’s 20.
Scoring at home has been an even bigger issue for Leicester. If they fail to find the net against Manchester United, it will mark their seventh straight home league game without a goal. Despite their dire form, Leicester may take some encouragement from van Nistelrooy’s familiarity with United’s squad. Having already lost three times to United this season, the Foxes will hope to make their most recent encounter—a tighter affair under van Nistelrooy’s management—a sign that they can compete.
This matchup presents a tale of contrasting fortunes. Leicester enter Sunday’s clash in freefall, having lost their last five Premier League matches without scoring a single goal. Their struggles at home are even more severe, with six consecutive defeats and an aggregate score of 15-0 against them.
Meanwhile, Manchester United may have missed the chance to secure back-to-back league wins last weekend, but their 1-1 draw with Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to three games. A crucial moment in that match was Bruno Fernandes’ first-half free-kick, marking United’s first time leading at the break since early December—ending a league-worst 15-game streak without a half-time advantage, despite registering just 0.11 xG in the opening 45 minutes.
History is also on United’s side. They have lost just once in their last eight Premier League visits to Leicester (W4 D3), with their only defeat coming in a 4-2 loss in October 2021. Furthermore, United has already beaten Leicester three times in all competitions this season. They’ve previously defeated three teams four times in a single campaign, while Leicester have only suffered that fate once—against West Brom. Will United make history again, or can Leicester defy the odds and turn their season around?
With both teams desperate for points, Sunday’s showdown is set to be a thrilling encounter. Will Manchester United build on their recent momentum and finally ignite their season, or will Leicester seize the opportunity to reverse their fortunes and fight for survival? One thing is certain—this match has all the ingredients for high drama.
Share your predictions in the comments below!
Manchester United’s record against Leicester City:
| Games won: | 73 |
| Games drawn: | 31 |
| Games lost: | 36 |
Team News:
(As of today 16/03/2025)
Leicester City: Abdul Fatawu, Harry Souttar, Odsonne Edouard are unavailable for this match.
Manchester United: Luke Shaw, Johnny Evans, Amad, Martinez, Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Patrick Dorgu, Leny Yoro, and Kobbie Mainoo remain unavailable.
Prediction:
Leicester City’s goal struggles have been evident, yet they have managed to score in almost all three encounters against Manchester United this season. However, with United in better form and creating more chances, I believe they will have the edge and outscore their opponents once again.
Leicester City 1-2 Manchester United
What’s your prediction? Share your thoughts in the comments below!