Leicester City’s FA Cup journey came to an end in contentious fashion on Friday night as they were defeated by Manchester United.
Despite taking the lead just before halftime through Bobby De Cordova Reid, Manchester United fought back in the second half with goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Harry Maguire, sealing Leicester’s exit from the competition.
Leicester supporters were left furious by Maguire’s decisive goal, which was clearly offside, sparking debates over why VAR was not in use until the FA Cup’s fifth round.
Maguire’s controversial 93rd-minute winner dominated the headlines, marking another frustrating evening for Ruud van Nistelrooy. However, there were some silver linings for the Foxes.
Wilfred Ndidi delivered a strong performance on his return to the team, while center-back Caleb Okoli put in an exceptional display, prompting calls for him to retain his place in the starting lineup.
Jannik Vestergaard is the weak link in Leicester’s squad:
Okoli had been linked with a move away from Leicester throughout the transfer window. However, to the surprise of many, he stayed at the King Power Stadium and earned his first start under Van Nistelrooy.
Having been denied a fair chance at regular playing time since the Dutchman’s arrival, the 23-year-old showcased why that decision was a mistake with a composed defensive performance, including a remarkable goal-line clearance.
Okoli stepped in for Jannik Vestergaard, who was left out of the starting lineup due to a minor injury issue, as reported by journalist Rob Tanner.
However, many would argue that the towering Dane had already warranted being dropped. Vestergaard’s performance in the 4-0 defeat to Everton the previous weekend was dismal, as Leicester’s defense was repeatedly breached.
In reality, the 32-year-old has struggled throughout the season, with opponents frequently exploiting his lack of pace and mobility.
Leicester appeared far more stable with Okoli’s agility and mobility anchoring the defense instead of Vestergaard, and Van Nistelrooy must keep the Italian in the lineup for the upcoming clash against Arsenal.
Leicester should sell Vestergaard in the summer:
While Vestergaard played a crucial role in Leicester’s Championship title-winning campaign last season, his declining physical attributes have become a significant liability.
As a result, Van Nistelrooy should consider offloading the experienced defender in the summer, freeing up valuable wages in the process.
Vestergaard currently earns £60,000 per week, making him the eighth-highest earner in the squad.
Given his advancing age and evident decline, selling the Danish international would be the most prudent decision for the club.
