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How Manchester United should line up vs Leicester in FA Cup fixture

-Credit:Getty Images
-Credit:Getty Images


Manchester United play Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday night.

United claimed an impressive victory on penalties against Arsenal in the previous round of the competition - they won with 10-men - and will now welcome Leicester to Old Trafford.

United knocked Leicester out of the Carabao Cup in October, losing 5-2 at Old Trafford, and they lost 3-0 against United when they returned for a Premier League fixture in November. Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed as Leicester boss following his interim spell in charge of United and the Dutchman is facing the challenge of saving the Foxes from relegation.

READ MORE: 'Until then' - Ruben Amorim teases Chido Obi-Martin first-team prospects at Manchester United

READ MORE: Manchester United give team news and update on Luke Shaw for Leicester City FA Cup tie

Regarding the team news, Lisandro Martinez is set to be absent for the remainder of the season and Luke Shaw has suffered a small setback, so he won't be involved against Leicester. Here is how our writers think United should line up...

Samuel Luckhurst

United have free midweeks this month and they have a reasonable chance of defending the FA Cup. Rotation in goal is fine but beyond that it needs to be the best possible team.

That means ending two full backs on the wings. Amad should go back there, with Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho as the No.10s behind Joshua Zirkzee. Zirkzee can't score but he can keep the ball. Rasmus Hojlund can't do either.

Bruno Fernandes has improved from a deeper role and is developing a decent understanding with Manuel Ugarte. Altay Bayindir has gained trust since his performance against Arsenal in the last round.

Bayindir, De Ligt and Zirkzee come in
Bayindir, De Ligt and Zirkzee come in

Tyrone Marshall

Ordinarily, this might be a chance to rotate for United, but the cup competitions must take precedence now. Bayindir has been promised cup games and in truth there isn't much between him and Onana at the moment. The loss of Martinez is a major blow, as is Shaw's setback. Maguire is the best fit on the left, which means De Ligt and Yoro complete the back three.

Fernandes has offered nice balance next to Ugarte in midfield and I would stick with that partnership. Garnacho and Amad can dovetail as the No. 10s again and there is a pressure on them to deliver goals. Dalot plays as right wing-back and Dorgu has to make his debut from the start to offer at least one left-footed option on that flank.

In attack, it's time for Amorim to nail his colours to the mast and play someone in to form. Hojlund is the striker more likely to score goals and he can start.

Steven Railston

The back three picks itself after Martinez picked an up injury that could see him spend over six months on the sidelines, and some fans would have Bayindir in between the sticks over Onana.

Admittedly, there's not much between the pair at this moment, but I'll give Onana the nod in an attempt to protect his confidence and it's a no-brainer to give Dorgu his debut at left-wing back. Amorim has been forced to operate with square pegs in rounds roles and Dorgu is unique in the dressing room because he was signed for the system.

Dalot has struggled for form on the left in the last few months and his performances should improve if Amorim relocates him to his preferred side.

Mainoo was played up front against Palace and it didn't work. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, but I'd still pick Hojlund to lead the attack.