Manchester United vs Leicester LIVE!
Manchester United start the post-Erik ten Hag era tonight with a Carabao Cup fourth round clash with Leicester. The Dutchman was finally sacked on Monday after a terrible start to the season.
Ruben Amorim is widely expected to be confirmed as his replacement in the coming days, but club legend, and Ten Hag’s assistant, Ruud van Nistelrooy takes charge of the side tonight looking to get just a second win from the last nine games across all competitions.
They could be in luck though with Steve Cooper likely to rest players with an eye on Saturday’s trip to fellow promoted side Ipswich. The competition has also provided a respite for the Red Devils, with their 7-0 hammering of Barnsley in the last round being one of very few prolific showings in recent times, while Ten Hag won the trophy in his first season in charge. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog.
Man Utd vs Leicester latest updates
- Kick off time: 7.45pm GMT, Old Trafford
- How to watch: Sky Sports+
- Man Utd team news: Van Nistelrooy's first XI
- Score prediction: Ruud earns first win
- GOAL! Man Utd 1-0 Leicester: Caemiro gives United lead with screamer
- GOAL! Man Utd 2-0 Leicester: Garnacho doubles the lead
- GOAL! Coady pulls one back before half-time
- GOAL! Bruno gets his second
FULL TIME: Man Utd 5-2 Leicester
21:40 , Peter FitzpatrickA great night for Ruud van Nistelrooy, with Fernandes and Casemiro stepping up as senior players with a brace of goals each.
Into added time
21:39 , Peter FitzpatrickThe game has petered out, in truth, with attention likely turning to the weekend.
Not Zirkzee's night
21:33 , Peter FitzpatrickThe big Dutchman is off for academy graduate Ethan Wheatley.
He’s worked hard tonight, but things haven’t fallen his way as his goalless run continues.
Man Utd 5-2 Leicester
21:32 , Peter Fitzpatrick83min: Altay Bayindir has recovered from a shaky first half to make a few fine stops in the second.
He gets down low to turn away Stephy Mavididi’s effort.
Subs are on
21:26 , Peter FitzpatrickJonny Evans and Rasmus Hojlund are on for Matthijs de Ligt and Alejandro Garnacho.
The game has slowed down, but the Danish striker is likely to get a chance in the final 10 minutes.
Pushing for a sixth
21:15 , Peter FitzpatrickUnited are not settling for five, with Bruno, Amad and Garnacho all looking lively.
Amad almost scores a stunner
21:14 , Peter FitzpatrickThe Ivorian has just come on for Rashford, and nearly has the goal of the night with a bicycle kick.
It went just wide.
GOAL! Man Utd 5-2 Leicester | Bruno Fernandes 59'
21:07 , Peter Fitzpatrick59min: Fernandes capitalises on a back pass, and takes it around Ward to smash home.
No goals all season, and now two inside an hour.
Man Utd 4-2 Leicester
21:06 , Peter Fitzpatrick58min: Zirkzee springs into life. After some neat play, he plays the ball to Garnacho before getting it back.
His shot from outside the box is too close to Ward, though.
He could do with a goal.
Casemiro to the rescue
21:01 , Peter FitzpatrickUnited look very shaky at the back, and they need Casemiro to bail them out.
The Foxes are on the hunt.
Leicester come out strongly
20:56 , Peter FitzpatrickSteve Cooper must have had a word at half-time, because his side have come out fighting.
The next goal here is crucial.
Second half underway
20:54 , Peter FitzpatrickCan the second 45 live up to the first?
More to come?
20:48 , Peter FitzpatrickIt doesn’t feel like that will be the end of the scoring, does it?
United look in the mood going forward, but their defence is far from watertight.
HT: Man Utd 4-2 Leicester
20:37 , Peter FitzpatrickWhat a first 45 minutes for van Nistelrooy.
GOAL! Man Utd 4-2 Leicester | Conor Coady 45+3'
20:34 , Peter Fitzpatrick45+3min: That makes things interesting.
A Leicester free kick bounces off Dalot and into the path of Conor Coady, who taps home from less than six yards out.
Man Utd 4-1 Leicester
20:30 , Peter Fitzpatrick43min: United are cutting Leicester apart, and Garnacho almost makes it five before half-time.
Casemiro on for a hat-trick
20:28 , Peter FitzpatrickThe Brazilian should have a first half hat-trick, heading just wide from a Fernandes free kick.
GOAL! Man Utd 4-1 Leicester | Casmeiro 39'
20:27 , Peter Fitzpatrick39min: It’s raining goals at Old Trafford.
Casemiro gets his second, and United’s fourth, with a close range finish after his initial header bounced off the post.
GOAL! Man Utd 3-1 Leicester | Bruno Fernandes 36'
20:2436min: Two-goal lead restored, with the aid of a major deflection.
Fernandes’ free-kick hits off James Justin, completely wrongfooting Danny Ward.
It’s the United captain’s first goal of the season.
GOAL! Man Utd 2-1 Leicester: El Khannouss 33'
20:21 , Peter Fitzpatrick33min: From nowhere, the Foxes pull one back.
It’s a bit of a howler from Altay Bayindir, who doesn’t deal with a corner, allowing Bilal El Khannouss to finish smartly.
Finishing like Ruud
20:18 , Peter FitzpatrickFor a side that has barely hit a barndoor this season, United are finishing like their interim boss tonight.
Their tails are up, and look like scoring a few more.
GOAL! Man Utd 2-0 Leicester | Alejandro Garnacho 28'
20:15 , Peter Fitzpatrick28min: United get their second, and it’s another lovely goal.
Casemiro is involved again, playing the ball down the line to Diogo Dalot, who slides the ball across for Garnacho to smash home.
United looking for a second
20:08 , Peter FitzpatrickThe mood is up at Old Trafford, and United are looking for a second.
Marcus Rashford hits a free kick into the wall before Garnacho is flagged offside.
There’s no VAR here. A penny for ten Hag’s thoughts?
Double Dutch
20:06 , Peter FitzpatrickThe Brazilian scored the last goal under ten Hag, and now has the first under his predecessor.
Might Ruben Amorim have that in mind if, or when, he takes over?
GOAL! Man Utd 1-0 Leicester | Casemiro 15'
20:02 , Peter Fitzpatrick15min: What a goal!
The first goal of the Ruud era is here, and it’s an absolute screamer from Casemiro.
Alejandro Garnacho slipped the ball inside, and the midfielder stuck one in the top corner from 30 yards out.
Man Utd 0-0 Leicester
19:57 , Peter Fitzpatrick8min: Another warning sign. United’s midfield goes missing but Leicester fumble it.
Looked familiar...
Zirkzee showing his lack of confidence
19:54 , Peter FitzpatrickAfter a Leicester slip, the United forward had a chance to either shoot or pass. He did neither, losing the ball.
Man Utd 0-0 Leicester
19:51 , Peter Fitzpatrick4min: United have had most of the ball in the opening minutes, but Victor Lindelof being brushed off the ball by Jordan Ayew was an early warning sign.
It’s a Leicester side with nine changes, but they will fancy their chances here.
Good atmosphere
19:49 , Peter FitzpatrickAs tends to happen when a legend takes charge, the United fans are in good voice early on here.
Kick off
19:45 , Peter FitzpatrickAnd we’re underway at Old Trafford.
A Ruud reception?
19:44 , Peter FitzpatrickVan Nistelrooy gives a fist bump to his adoring fans in scenes reminiscent of his time as a player at the club.
He also looks the part, and then some.
Kick off approaching
19:40 , Peter FitzpatrickWe’re about five minutes from the Ruud van Nistelrooy “era” getting underway.
Ruud speaks
19:37 , Peter FitzpatrickAhead of the game, the interim boss has outlined what he wants from his side tonight.
“We came in with a team talk about the opponent and ourselves, what it's about to play at Old Trafford and in front of these wonderful fans who always support us and give them a great night of football, hopefully a lot of possession and attacks.”
Another chance for Zirkzee
19:21 , Peter FitzpatrickThe young Dutch forward could really do with a good performance, and a goal, tonight.
He scored the winner on his debut against Fulham back in August, but hasn’t netted since and has looked well off the pace of late.
Another injury concern?
19:06 , Peter FitzpatrickChristian Eriksen isn’t part of the United squad tonight with reports of a late withdrawal due to injury.
The Dane has been replaced in the side by Manuel Ugarte, while young midfielders Jayce Fitzgerald and Jack Fletcher (son of Darren) are on the bench.
Standard Sport Prediction
19:00 , Peter FitzpatrickVan Nistelrooy will be desperate to start his interim spell in style, but it remains to be seen if he will have time to change too much.
You would imagine the Dutchman will make a few tactical tweaks more to his liking rather than wholesale changes, but the change of mood around the club - yes, the ‘new manager bounce' - should see United secure a quarter-final spot.
United to win 3-1.
And here's Leicester's side
18:49 , Peter FitzpatrickYour starting line-up 🔵#MUNLEI pic.twitter.com/cFj5gn2WA9
— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 30, 2024
Man Utd lineup named
18:48 , Peter FitzpatrickHere is Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first-ever United XI.
Ruud names his Reds XI 🔴📋#MUFC || #CarabaoCup
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 30, 2024
A proud tradition
18:25 , Peter FitzpatrickCould there be a debut or two tonight?
Today marks 87 years with an Academy graduate in every single #mufc matchday squad.
— Harry Robinson (@HarryRobinson64) October 30, 2024
It’s an unmatched record, sustained tonight not only by regulars Rashford and Garnacho but also young Amass and Fletcher, yet to make a debut, and, for the first time, Jayce Fitzgerald. pic.twitter.com/lIqI7yyj4k
The man is here
18:17Full circle moment for Ruud 🫶#MUFC || #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/PwImWnM2G3
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 30, 2024
How did both sides get here?
18:09 , Peter FitzpatrickIn a break from the norm this season, United hammered League One side Barnsley 7-0 in the third round at Old Trafford.
On the other hand, Leicester were taken to penalties by Walsall after a 0-0 draw. Danny Ward was the hero, saving three in the shootout.
In the second round, things were a bit easier for the Foxes, easing past Tranmere with a 4-0 win.
Fergie's Fledglings?
17:59 , Peter FitzpatrickVan Nistelrooy becomes the fourth player to have played under Sir Alex Ferguson to manage the club in the chaotic 11 years since his retirement.
Ryan Giggs took charge of four games after David Moyes’ sacking at the end of the 2013/14 season, while Michael Carrick was unbeaten in the three games following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s exit.
Solskjaer is the only ex-player to end up managing the club on a permanent basis.
A big night
17:52 , Peter FitzpatrickIt is sure to be an emotional night for van Nistelrooy, but he will be determined to mark it with a win and a good performance.
Club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy is ready to get going in the Man Utd dugout ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VZE5hulsvx
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 30, 2024
United's record against Leicester
17:48United have won 70 of the 137 games between the clubs, their last two coming in the 2022/23 season, in which Leicester were ultimately relegated.
Jadon Sancho scored both home and away, Marcus Rashford hit a brace in the home game amid an incredible run of form, while ten Hag was a week away from lifting the Carabao Cup when the Foxes last came to Old Trafford.
It might only be two seasons ago but it feels like a lifetime.
The last time he faced the Foxes
17:36 , Peter FitzpatrickJust over 21 years ago, the deadly Dutchman put three past Leicester in a 4-1 win at the King Power Stadium.
It was one of his six hat-tricks he scored for United in a brilliant five years at Old Trafford.
📸 27th September, 2003: Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Gary Neville celebrate as Ruud nets a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Leicester City 🦊 #MUFC 🇾🇪🔴 pic.twitter.com/z9dctqQhEa
— Sujal Swain (@officialsujal10) September 27, 2024
Ruud takes charge
17:28 , Peter FitzpatrickWith Erik ten Hag finally sacked on Monday, tonight sees Ruud van Nistelrooy take charge for what could be his only game at the helm.
Sporting Head Coach Ruben Amorim is being lined up, but tonight is all about the United legend.
He is likely to get an incredible reception.
Where to watch Man Utd vs Leicester
17:19 , Peter FitzpatrickFor UK and Irish viewers, the game will be broadcast on Sky Sports +.
Subscribers will also be able to watch via the Sky Go app.
Kick off time and venue
17:18 , Peter FitzpatrickAs mentioned, tonight’s game takes place at Old Trafford, where United have already been beaten 3-0 twice this season.
Kick off time is 7:45pm GMT.
Good evening
17:15 , Peter FitzpatrickHello and welcome to our live coverage of Manchester United’s Carabao Cup fourth round tie with Leicester City at Old Trafford.
It’s all of a sudden become a more exciting game for obvious reasons.
