Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim could be forced to hand out an unexpected debut against Leicester City this evening. The Red Devils will be desperately hoping for a win over the Foxes, managed by Ruud van Nistelrooy, to revive their faint hopes of a top-half finish in the Premier League.
United have only taken five points from their last five outings but will have a golden chance to record a win over Leicester, who have only managed four victories all season. They have not beaten United in any competition since 2021 and more misery at Old Trafford will pile the pressure on Van Nistelrooy, who has failed to oversee an upturn in form.
The hosts may be forced to change their goalkeeper, with Andre Onana at risk of missing the fixture after picking up an injury. He will be subjected to a late fitness test, according to the Manchester Evening News, but it is anticipated that he will not be involved.
It could force United to hand a debut to their fourth-choice goalkeeper, with Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton both recovering from unspecified injuries. Dermot Mee could be next in line to step up between the sticks, having been on the bench for United in recent fixtures.
The 22-year-old signed a new contract at Old Trafford in August and has mainly been playing at under-21 level for United. He was included as part of the squad which travelled to San Diego in pre-season but did not feature in any matches.
Mee joined United in 2019 and has often trained with the first-team group at Carrington, learning from more senior goalkeepers like Onana, Bayindir and Heaton. He was previously loaned to Altrincham, making four appearances in the National League during his time there.
It remains to be seen how Mee will get on if he is picked to start against Leicester, with United in desperate need of a positive result.
Speaking after the midweek victory over Real Sociedad, Amorim said: “If we think we are going to play the next game [against Leicester] the same way we played today, it’s a mistake because it’s a completely different team that we are going to face.
“And the physicality is really important, especially in our league. I know that in football, especially in our moment, we can have a really good moment and then drop really fast, so our focus is to continue. Don’t be too happy, too depressed.
“My idea is to continue. We have to survive. That definition could change in the end, but our idea is to improve the team, to be prepared fresh for the game against Leicester, and not focus a lot and changing our mind because we will win or lose.”
