MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 07: Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrates scoring his teams second goal with team mates Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on February 07, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Holders Manchester United struck late in the second half to secure a 2-1 win over Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday night.
FA Cup
Result: Manchester United 2-1 Leicester City
Date: 07 February 2025
Venue: Old Trafford
Red Devils coach Ruben Amorim handed a debut to new signing Patrick Dorgu in the wing-back role, while there was also a recall for Rasmus Hojlund in the attack.
Most fans would have been surprised to see Dorgu played on the right side for United despite being a left-footed player as Diogo Dalot continued on the left-flank.
The home side dominated possession in the early stages of the encounter but they were restricted to efforts from distance in the opening 20 minutes, none of which were threatening.
The groans at Old Trafford grew louder after 40 minutes when Leicester took the lead after Bobby De Cordova-Reid nodded home from three-yards out after Andre Onana had saved Wilfried Ndidi’s initial strike.
Amorim responded with a change at the start of the second half, as Dorgu’s debut came to an end after he was replaced by Alejandro Garnacho as Amad Diallo dropped to the wing-back position.
The change nearly paid off after the hour mark when Manuel Ugarte sent Garnacho through on goal, but the Argentine saw his strike deflect onto the crossbar after a vital block by Caleb Okoli.
United did get their reward on 68 minutes when Garnacho’s low cross was deflected into the path of substitute Joshua Zirkee, who had the simple task of slotting into an empty net for his first cup goal.
Garnacho should have completed the turnaround in the 79th minute after being slipped through on goal by Dalot on the left side but the Argentine could only fire into the side-netting instead of squaring the ball to Hojlund or Diallo.
With the game heading for extra-time, United bagged the winning goal in second-half stoppage time as former Leicester defender Harry Maguire nodded home a cross from Fernandes to seal their spot in the next round.
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