Wilfred Ndidi’s Impact Against Man Utd Shows £20m Flop Has No Way Back – Opinion

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s tenure at Leicester City has been challenging, with only one victory in his last nine Premier League matches—an impressive win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Before that, the Dutchman managed a 3-1 triumph over West Ham United and a 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Ndidi’s Absence and Impact on Leicester’s Struggles

Wilfred Ndidi played just 52 minutes in the draw against Brighton before suffering an injury that sidelined him for Leicester’s difficult run.

However, the 28-year-old made his return in the Foxes’ 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on February 7.

Despite the loss, Ndidi’s 58-minute performance earned him high praise from Leicester supporters.

His presence significantly influenced the game, particularly in Leicester’s only goal of the night.

The Nigerian midfielder’s return has made it increasingly clear that Van Nistelrooy’s future at Leicester is closely tied to Ndidi’s availability.

Ndidi’s Influence Against Manchester United

Though he was on the pitch for less than an hour, Ndidi’s impact was evident. His return brought out a better performance from Boubakary Soumaré, and Leicester’s overall defensive solidity improved.

For much of the season, the Foxes have struggled to control midfield battles, but that changed during Ndidi’s time on the pitch. Given his recent injury layoff, it was understandable that Van Nistelrooy substituted him in a cup match.

However, with Premier League survival as the primary focus, his return is a massive boost to Leicester’s slim chances of staying up.

While Ndidi’s comeback strengthens the Foxes, it also spells trouble for one of the club’s biggest transfer disappointments.

Oliver Skipp’s Leicester Future in Doubt

Oliver Skipp arrived at Leicester during the most recent summer transfer window in a deal worth around £20 million, with an additional £5 million in potential add-ons, according to Sky Sports.

However, the investment has already proven to be a costly mistake.

Skipp’s poor showing against Newcastle United—where he failed to complete a single tackle in an hour—marked a turning point.

Since that match, he has not played more than 45 minutes in a Premier League game.

Due to limited options, he continued to make substitute appearances, but with Ndidi now back and thriving, it is difficult to see Skipp securing meaningful game time.

Skipp had hoped to turn his Leicester career around, but with Ndidi reclaiming his spot, his opportunity to prove himself may have already passed.