Leicester City will be sick of seeing Manchester United on their fixture list, as it will be the fourth time they’ve played them this season.
The Foxes have lost to them in the league, Carabao Cup and most recently, FA Cup as Harry Maguire’s controversial late winner knocked Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men out.
Supporters won’t be looking forward to this fixture as Leicester’s 1-0 loss to Chelsea on Sunday extended their losing run.
It’s now 12 defeats in 13 matches for Van Nistelrooy, and as far as Leicester’s survival hopes go, there looks to be no way back.
That is unless the Dutchman can somehow pull off a miracle, but embarrassment is more likely, especially if one Man United star performs to his best.
Bruno Fernandes could embarrass Ruud van Nistelrooy
Man United captain Bruno Fernandes is enjoying an incredible season personally, while his side are having their worst campaign in decades.
Despite hiring Ruben Amorim in November, the Red Devils continue to loiter in 14th position, with their only hope of success being in the Europa League.
On Thursday night, United booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 5-2 aggregate win over Real Socieded.
There were nerves heading into the second leg tie at Old Trafford but some brilliance from Fernandes soon calmed them, as the Portuguese maestro scored a hat-trick to clinch a 4-1 victory on the night.
| Bruno Fernandes 2024/25 stats | Statistic |
| Games | 43 |
| Goals | 15 |
| Assists | 13 |
Fernandes has registered an incredible 28 goal involvements in all competitions in 2024/25, including 14 in the Premier League, with Leicester perhaps worried about the destruction he could cause at the King Power Stadium.
Indeed, the 30-year-old has five goals and six assists in 11 appearances against the Foxes, and should he perform like he did on Thursday, he could destroy City.
What Van Nistelrooy has said about Fernandes
Van Nistelrooy briefly worked with the ‘special’ Fernandes during his short spell as interim coach last year, and unsurprisingly, the Dutchman waxed lyical over the Portuguese superstar.
“If you think about it, January 2020, coming in, to November 2024 and there’s no need to explain how fit you have to be, to play all these games,” he said. “But also how professional you are. He is an example, how he lives the game, as a professional, and, of course, as a captain leading the team.
“Within that, as being a role model in how to be the best professional you can be and also helping others in many situations – on and off the pitch. He’s a great example and a great captain.”
In theory, Van Nistelrooy should know his former players’ biggest weakness and how to stop him. But as seen this season, it’s one thing knowing how to shut him down and another doing it.