Manchester United produced a dramatic comeback to win 2-1 against Leicester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday, keeping its title defense alive and ruining Ruud van Nistelrooy’s return to Old Trafford as Leicester’s manager.
Leicester opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, when Bobby De Cordova-Reid headed home after Andre Onana had parried Wilfred Ndidi’s first attempt. United were booed off at the interval, having failed to register a shot on target, with some fans clearly fed up of seeing a team devoid of ideas in the final third.
Manager Ruben Amorim’s changes at halftime were decisive, as Alejandro Garnacho injected new blood into United’s attack. Leicester’s defense was terrorized by the Argentine winger, who laid on one for Joshua Zirkzee to equalize on 65 minutes after a chaotic scramble in the box.
United pushed for a winner, and it arrived deep into stoppage time. Harry Maguire turned in a Bruno Fernandes free-kick to head the decisive goal, although there were Leicester protests for offside. As VAR was not in operation, the goal stood.
The victory provides a welcome lift for United, whose struggles in the Premier League have left the team in 13th place. Out was Lisandro Martinez, who missed the match through injury, but the squad’s mental fortitude was evident as they advanced in the competition. Having worn “Mucha Fuerza Licha” shirts in solidarity with Martinez.
