Manchester United will look to continue their defence of the FA Cup when they welcome Leicester City to Old Trafford on Friday evening in the fourth round of the competition.. Ruben Amorim’s side are the defending champions and made a statement in the third round when they knocked out Arsenal on penalties at the Emirates Stadium. They now take on the Foxes for a third time at Old Trafford this season, having previously beaten them in both the Premier League and the Carabao Cup.. Interestingly, United were led to both of those wins by former interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy and the United legend is now the manager of the Foxes. The Dutchman will be plotting United’s downfall as he hopes a win could help inspire his side in their battle against relegation from the Premier League.. The FA Cup has taken on extra importance for United this term given their dire league form has left them in 13th place and 11 points off the European places. If Amorim is to lead United in Europe next season, it only looks likely that he will do so by either winning the FA Cup, which guarantees qualification to next season’s Europa League, or the Europa League, which would see United qualify for next season’s Champions League.. But if they are to beat Leicester, they must do so without four of their first team players. Here is a full round-up of the latest United injury situation.. Lisandro Martinez. Injury: Knee. The centre-back was stretchered off in tears in last weekend’s reverse against Crystal Palace. United have now confirmed he has suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury and he will miss the rest of this season.. What Amorim has said: “Licha is a difficult situation. He’s going to be out for a while. We don’t know the extent of the injury but it’s going to take time.”. Return date: Next season. Luke Shaw. Injury: Muscular. Shaw returned to training ahead of last week’s Europa League clash against FCSB, but he was not included in the squad for that game or the defeat to Palace. Amorim has now confirmed he has suffered a minor setback.. What Amorim has said: “Luke has one small issue in the difficult area from the last injury, so we try to be careful with Luke.”. Potential return date: Sunday, February 16 – vs Tottenham Hotspur (A). Mason Mount. Injury: Leg. Mount was forced off in the first half of the Manchester derby back in December. It was confirmed a few days later that he would be on the sidelines for several weeks.. What Amorim has said: “Several weeks. I don’t know the exact date, but it’s going to be for long. And that’s it… It’s part of football, and you continue.”. Return date: TBC. Jonny Evans. Injury: Muscular. Evans has been out of action since December after suffering a muscular injury. His latest appearance for the club came in the Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat against Tottenham back, a match in which he was also on the scoresheet.. What Amorim has said: n/a. Return date: TBC
