Cooper likely to spark further fan backlash with key Leicester City decision against Man Utd – opinion
Leicester City set for another showdown with Manchester United on Sunday, this time in a Premier League clash.
Leicester City recently suffered a 5-2 loss to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, extending their concerning form.
Under Steve Cooper, Leicester has struggled this season, securing only two wins so far in the 2024/25 campaign.
Currently, the team sits just five points above the relegation zone, adding pressure as they prepare for another challenging Premier League fixture this weekend.
Leicester’s last league outing ended in a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town, and now they face Manchester United again.
United’s commanding victory over Leicester in the cup has put them in high spirits, especially as they look to impress new manager Ruben Amorim.
Another loss for Leicester could further intensify pressure on Cooper, with fans expressing interest in a potential Jose Mourinho appointment.
Despite recent criticisms, Cooper seems likely to start James Justin against Manchester United on Sunday.
Fans were frustrated with Justin’s performance in the Carabao Cup clash, where he was involved in four of United’s goals.
Following this, Justin was benched for Leicester’s draw with Ipswich.
However, Cooper’s recent comments hint that the defender is set to return to the lineup.
Discussing his lineup choices, Cooper stated, “The two that came out, Caleb’s new to the club and JJ’s been here a while.
They’ve played most of the games and played the other night. We’ve got the opportunity to make those changes now.
Sometimes leaving a player out is not about them being dropped; it’s about giving them a chance to take a deep breath and come back refreshed.”
Nevertheless, Cooper’s decision to stick with Justin may deepen the frustration among Leicester fans.
The 26-year-old has yet to win against Manchester United in five attempts, marking his longest winless streak against any team.
This season, Justin has faced further criticism for a poor showing against Nottingham Forest in an earlier match, yet Cooper continues to rely on him, leaving fans increasingly dissatisfied with the manager’s choices.
