It’s a welcome break from the dire Premier League form Leicester City have been in as they face Manchester United in the FA Cup Fourth Round.
Ruud van Nistelrooy wanted a lower league side instead of Man United as he prepares to face the man that replace him after his brief spell as interim boss, Ruben Amorim.
Van Nistelrooy and Amorim have both had difficult starts to their managerial reins and know that a win here could be a catalyst to turn their form around.
There won’t be many making the trip to Old Trafford after Leicester fans accused Man United of ‘exploiting their loyalty’ after the Red Devils charged away supporters as much as £61 for a ticket.
Amorim is looking forward to seeing Van Nistelrooy on what will be a strange night for the Man United legend given that he will be in the opposition dugout for the first time, but, Leicester know that three players could be in danger of suspension for the home tie.
Three Man United players could earn suspension against Leicester
The FA Cup sometimes provides managers with an opportunity to rotate their squads and given the risk associated with this game, Amorim may choose to do that.
Leicester will unsurprisingly be considered as the underdogs, despite the hosts’ equally bad form, and would back themselves to do so without some key players.
Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes and former Foxes man Harry Maguire are all one game away from earning a suspension.
Lisandro Martinez is also one game away but he will be out of action until the end of the season after picking up a serious injury.
Diogo Dalot meanwhile is suspended already after receiving two yellows in the win against Arsenal.
On the other hand, Leicester won’t have this headache as none of the Foxes’ stars were booked against Queens Park Rangers.
What are the FA Cup suspension rules?
Yellow cards
Since the 2019/20 season, yellow cards obtained in the Premier League and domestic cup competitions haven’t crossed over, meaning if someone penalises the total number in one, they won’t be punished in another.
In Leicester’s case, as they entered the FA Cup in the Third Round, any player who receives two yellow cards will be handed an automatic one-match suspension. This carries on until after the quarter-finals, where it resets.
Red cards
Red cards have a different ruling in comparison to yellows.
If a player is shown a straight red then they are banned from the next game – no matter what competition.
This is why Dalot was allowed to play in Man United’s next league game but not Friday’s clash as he was shown two yellow cards.
For example, if a player was shown a straight red and given a three-match ban, they would miss the next three league/cup games.