Manchester United came from behind to defeat Leicester 2-1 on Friday, keeping their FA Cup defense alive and denying Ruud van Nistelrooy a fairytale return to Old Trafford.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid gave struggling Leicester the lead in the dying moments of the first half, a period in which United appeared to lack attacking creativity.
However, the introduction of Alejandro Garnacho at halftime changed the game, and fellow substitute Joshua Zirkzee equalized midway through the second half.
Ruben Amorim’s side pushed for a winner, and it came when Harry Maguire headed in a Bruno Fernandes free-kick deep into stoppage time.
Earlier in the season, United scored eight goals in two matches against Leicester during Van Nistelrooy’s brief tenure as interim boss at Old Trafford following Erik ten Hag’s sacking.
But this time their former star striker was in the opposition dugout, taking a break from the rigours of the Premier League, in which Leicester have lost eight out of their past nine games.
United, who beat Manchester City in the final at Wembley last May, were short of confidence after five defeats in their past seven matches at home in all competitions.
The home side were tepid in attack in the early stages and Leicester’s Jordan Ayew tested Andre Onana.
Defender Patrick Dorgu, making his debut after his move from Lecce late in the January transfer window, fired over and there was a heart-in-mouth moment for Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, who nearly fumbled the ball into his own net.
But 2021 FA Cup winners Leicester gave the Old Trafford crowd a familiar sinking feeling in the 42nd minute.
Manuel Ugarte gave the ball away near the left touchline and Bilal El Khannouss got to the byline before pulling the ball back to Wilfred Ndidi.
Onana saved Ndidi’s shot with his feet, but De Cordova-Reid nodded home from close range.
United’s players traipsed off at half-time to a chorus of boos after failing to manage a shot on target.
Amorim brought on Argentina international Garnacho at half-time for Dorgu in a desperate search for inspiration.
Rasmus Hojlund burst into the box in the opening minutes, raising the temperature among the fans.
Garnacho seemed to have equalized after charging into the box, but his deflected shot, which looped over Hermansen, was acrobatically cleared off the line by Caleb Okoli.
Soon after, United drew level following more brilliant play down the left by Garnacho, who was causing havoc in Leicester’s defense.
Hojlund’s flick from Garnacho’s cross was blocked, but Zirkzee was quick to tap into an empty net, marking just his fifth goal of the season.
United looked more likely to find a winner, but it came in the 93rd minute when Maguire headed the ball home.
The England defender appeared to be offside when the ball was played, but there was no VAR to review the decision.
United, currently 13th in the Premier League, ended the January transfer window with fewer attacking options, having allowed Marcus Rashford and Antony to depart.
Argentine defender Lisandro “Licha” Martinez was absent due to cruciate ligament damage suffered during last week’s defeat to Crystal Palace.
To show support, United’s players wore training tops with the message “Mucha Fuerza Licha” (Great Strength Licha).
