Manchester United XI vs Leicester City: Ruud van Nistelrooy expected to make three changes

Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to make three changes as Manchester United prepare to face Leicester City in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Manchester United are preparing to face Leicester City in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, following Erik ten Hag’s recent departure as manager.

Ten Hag’s assistant, Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is also a former United striker, will take over as interim manager while the club seeks a permanent replacement.

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Van Nistelrooy is set to lead the team in the upcoming clash against Leicester, though it’s unclear how long he’ll remain in the role as the club are working to appoint Sporting’s Rúben Amorim as soon as they can.

United advanced to this stage of the competition after a commanding 7-0 win in the previous round. The Carabao Cup was Ten Hag’s first trophy with the club, won in 2023.

Three changes expected

As he selects the side, Van Nistelrooy is expected to make three changes from the side that fell to a defeat at the London Stadium during Ten Hag’s final game in charge.

While André Onana will likely remain in goal due to the opposition being at Premier League level, Jonny Evans may return to the XI to give Lisandro Martínez a rest ahead of the club’s game against Chelsea.

There is also a chance Victor Lindelöf may replace Matthijs de Ligt, but this may come in the form of a substitution rather than a change in the XI in order to continue giving the Dutch centre-back consistency at his new club.

Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are still the club’s only fit first-team full-backs, meaning they will likely continue at left and right back, respectively.

In midfield, United lack options due to injuries to Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen, Toby Collyer, and Dan Gore. The interim manager may choose to swap Eriksen for Manuel Ugarte, as the Danish international had to pull out of the squad due to injury. Hence, youngster Jayce Fitzgerald has been included.

Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes will likely keep their roles in the side due to the lack of other replacement options from the bench. However, depending on the scoreline, we may see academy players replace them in the second half.

Marcus Rashford may be rested in attack to allow Amad Diallo minutes. Amad was United’s Player of the Month in August, but his time on the field has been reduced since then. Many feel this has not been deserved.

Again, there is a chance Van Nistelrooy will use the second half to make multiple changes, with five available to him. This means Rasmus Højlund and Alejandro Garnacho could continue in the team, with Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee being given time from the bench.

Man United expected XI

Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Evans, Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Fernandes, Amad, Højlund, Garnacho.

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