Feels weird to say that ngl. No mo Erik ten Hag in the dugout for Man Utd. No mo clear, eh? As much as he needed to go, I do sort of miss him. It's just weird tho.
Anyway, we must move forward beginning with tonight as United take on the Foxes in the first of four straight home games and the first of two against Leicester before the international break.
One may have been forgiven for forgetting this game because of reasons but as much as the off-field matters are important, the most important thing is the football.
A round of 16 tie awaits at Old Trafford and this is going to be interesting, for many reasons.
Predicted Lineup
This is most likely going to be Ruud's first and last game in charge of the club so I don't know what he will do but I feel as though he will have a mix of first-team regulars as well as some bench options.
Mazraoui got injured against West Ham so I doubt that he'll be available. As you can see, I've gone with youngster Harry Amass to make his first start of the season. He is our only other available full-back other than Dalot. van Nistelrooy also has the option of using Lindelof in one of the full-back positions.
I think that Ugarte will come in to slot beside Eriksen with captain Bruno ahead of them and it's about time he started to get more game time given that his former manager Amorim is set to come in.
Hojlund out and Zirkzee in. We know that Rasmus has his injury problems and needs to be taken care of so I don't see a reason to risk him.
Amad to come in on the right for Rashford with Garnacho staying on the left.
Approach
We will want to right the wrongs of the defeat at West Ham and try to put the ball in the back of the net which was (and still is) our biggest problem this season.
United will want to be on the front foot and try to impose themselves. Being at Old Trafford gives us more incentive to do so.
We also need to play good football just because as we have been poor this campaign.
As it is Ruud's first game in charge, he will want to impress by fielding a strong side that will go out there and give him a performance. He won't want to be seeing what we've seen all season.
I also feel that there's a good chance that these players will perform because of the new manager bounce. We've seen them do this many times in the past and I can see it happening once again.
With Ruben Amorim likely to be the next manager (perhaps even by the time this game kicks off) they will want to show him what they're all about in an effort to dazzle the new boss.
Leicester
I don't think that Steve Cooper will make too many changes to his usual lineups. I can see him rotating a little but I'm sure he'll go pretty strong.
He knows that United aren't in the best of form and are quite low on confidence so will want to go for the throat and will select the best team to do so. However, he will have to be wary because the new manager bounce is real especially when it comes to United.
The Foxes will also want to try their best to go as far as possible because this competition provides a chance for them to win some silverware themselves. United at this stage last season lost 3-0 to Newcastle at home which could give Cooper a bit more confidence heading into tonight.
Form
United beat Barnsley 7-0 in the third round, a time when we thought we were going to win the league.
Take me back 😫.
All of Rashford, Garnacho and Eriksen scored a brace with Antony slotting away a penalty to give us the win.
Something like that tonight would be great as well.
Leicester had to play two rounds before reaching this stage as they won 4-0 against Tranmere Rovers and then beat Walsall on penalties to reach the RO16.
Prediction
I think we'll win 3-1. I've a feeling these lads will turn up and put in a performance like they always do when a manager is sacked.
With the prospect of Amorim watching on, they will want to show him what they're all about in the hopes that he will pick them when he comes in.
What is your predicition for tonight?
Background Image: Marcus Rashford | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)