NafisaLeicester City Secure First Win in Over a Month With Dominant FA Cup Performance
Leicester City ended a 39-day winless streak in emphatic fashion on Saturday, demolishing Queens Park Rangers 6-2 at the King Power Stadium to book their place in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup.
The victory not only marked a much-needed boost for the struggling Foxes but also set up a tantalising clash against Manchester United, where former interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will return for the first time since his brief stint in charge at Old Trafford.
Leicester’s dominant display drew widespread praise, particularly from club legend Gary Lineker, who singled out the team’s approach and several standout performances as key positives from the win.
Gary Lineker Praises Van Nistelrooy’s Bold Team Selection
With Leicester languishing near the bottom of the Premier League table, many expected Van Nistelrooy to rotate his squad ahead of a crucial league fixture against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. However, the Dutchman opted for his strongest possible starting XI, a decision that paid dividends.
Rising stars Facundo Buonanotte and Bilal El Khannouss dazzled with their performances, while Wout Faes staked his claim for a regular starting spot with a commanding display. Lineker, speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, applauded Van Nistelrooy’s decision to prioritise the FA Cup match.
“I was pleased with the Leicester result yesterday [Saturday],” said Lineker. “I know it’s QPR at home and you should expect to win, but I was really pleased he played a strong first team because most teams at the bottom fighting relegation go, ‘right, we’ll throw the FA Cup’ or play a second-string team.
“You can understand why, but I was pleased because I think often if the team is doing well, they can do that in the cup and lose momentum. And if they’re doing badly, it drags down the morale even more if you play a reserve team and lose.
“He played a strong team, Leicester had an emphatic victory, and it might give them a bit of confidence in the forthcoming weeks.”
Leicester Face Manchester United Test
The Fourth Round tie at Old Trafford offers Leicester a chance to test themselves against Manchester United once again, a team they have faced twice already this season with little joy. The Foxes were beaten 5-2 in the Carabao Cup and 3-1 in the Premier League during Van Nistelrooy’s brief spell in charge of United.
While United, now led by Ruben Amorim, have been far from consistent this season, Leicester’s record at Old Trafford remains dire. The Foxes have only won once at the iconic stadium since the turn of the century, a 2-1 victory in 2021 during the pandemic-enforced behind-closed-doors period.
Despite the daunting task ahead, Leicester will take heart from their recent resurgence and hope to carry the momentum from their FA Cup triumph into their upcoming fixtures. A win at Old Trafford would not only secure a spot in the next round but also provide a significant boost in their fight to turn their season around.
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