The return from Ruud van Nistelrooy to Old Trafford in the FA Cup will be moving for many reasons.
Van Nistelrooy became a legendary figure as a player of Manchester United and was called to take interim accusation from the club earlier this season. During that time his old pounding soil – where he enjoyed so many years as a player – was the stage of his Leicester ouditie.
The Dutchman had two possibilities to show his management references against the Foxes, with half of his four matches in Interim accusation of United with Leicester.
A few convincing victories, one in the competition and another in the Carabao Cup, meant that Van Nistelrooy was the top of the shortlist when Leicester separated with Steve Cooper at the end of November.
However, it has been two long months for Van Nistelrooy, who had never managed an away game in England before taking on the lane of Leicester.
Van Nistelrooy took over a Leicester side in the 16th, a point above the relegation zone. A promising start saw Van Nistelrooy's side put three past West Ham before he came out of two to restore a spicy point against Brighton.
However, Leicester has since lost eight of their nine Premier League matches.
While a 2-1 victory in Spurs ended a bleak run of seven straight losses, a 4-0 on Everton means that the foxes are now 18th, two points under the dotted line.
The appointment of Van Nistelrooy corresponded to fan ambitions to go to an attractive playing style. While Cooper's experience with the competition strengthened its position, it did not inspire his destiny on the field.
The eye has been more fun of Nistelrooy's football, with Leicester assuming a counter-punch style.
In a comparison between his first 11 league matches that have compared to Cooper's first 12, there is very little to distinguish the two parties.
Despite criticism, the side of Cooper had a marginally better expected goals in total, with 1.03 per 90 minutes in contrast to 0.92 from Van Nistelrooy.
There is also very little to separate the parties on a defensive front, where previous problems have continued under new management. Van Nistelrooy's side has admitted more competition goals in 11 races than those of Cooper in 12.
It took Everton only 10.18 seconds to open the score against Leicester when Abdoulaye Doucoure yielded the fastest home goal in the history of Premier League.
The goal of Doucoure worsened the defensive weaknesses of Leicester and brought their count to 50 for the season – the earliest The club had reached the total since 1960.
Issues with goals on both ends have swept the King Power Stadium this season, but injuries have contributed to the form of Leicester. Van Nistelrooy has not been able to call up an important staff, with Mads Hermansen, Wilfred Ndidi, Abdul Fatawu and Ricardo Pereira among those who are cared for or are still injuries since his arrival.
Individual mistakes are also a problem for Van Nistelrooy. Under Cooper, the Foxes made two mistakes that led to a goal, while under Van Nistelrooy that number doubled in a less game, because his side strives to adapt to a new way of playing.
Unfortunately, the winter window did very little to illuminate Van Nistelrooy's problems. Profit and sustainability rules (PSR) meant that Leicester could not produce the reinforcements that Van Nistelrooy wanted to improve the situation on his part. Woyo Coulibaly represented Leicester's only incoming during the window.
The 25-year-old full-back came to Parma, but started his career at Le Havre, the French club that is famous for the production of Riyad Mahrez, among others. Leicester fans will hope for a Mahrez-like impact during his time at the club, but the pressure has become. The relegation rivals of Leicester could strengthen in ways that the foxes could not. Wolves, above Leicester in the 17th, made four signing sessions, while both Southampton and Ipswich brought in five players in an attempt to stay up.
The chances are stacked on the side of Van Nistelrooy to prevent relegation, but there is nothing like a strong FA Cup run to take the lead from what else has been a disappointing return to the top flight.
What a phase Old Trafford could be for Van Nistelrooy to ignite his Leicester side.
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