Wilfred Ndidi made a triumphant return to action, captaining Leicester City in their FA Cup fourth-round clash against Manchester United after nearly two months on the sidelines.
The Nigerian midfielder had been out since December after sustaining an injury against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Leicester’s Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi with Head Coach, Ruud van Nistelrooy during the Premier League match against Brighton. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
His absence was keenly felt, with Leicester managing just two wins in nine matches across all competitions. Against United, he marked his 290th appearance for the Foxes since joining in January 2017.
Before his injury, Ndidi had featured in 15 matches this season, scoring a goal and providing four assists.
His return came ahead of schedule initially expected to be out until March 1; offering a timely boost not just for Leicester but also for Nigeria, with the Super Eagles set for crucial World Cup qualifiers next month.
Match Recap
Leicester took the lead in the 42nd minute when Boubakary Soumaré won possession and set up Bilal El Khannouss, who pulled the ball back for Ndidi.
The Nigerian’s shot was saved by André Onana, but Bobby De Cordova-Reid was on hand to head home from close range.
United responded strongly after the break, nearly equalizing before Caleb Okoli made a crucial goal-line clearance.
The pressure eventually paid off in the 68th minute, as Alejandro Garnacho’s cross led to a scrappy sequence, allowing Joshua Zirkzee to tap into an empty net.
With the game heading for extra time, Harry Maguire delivered the decisive moment in stoppage time, rising highest to head home a Bruno Fernandes set piece and seal a 2-1 win for the FA Cup holders.
Ndidi’s Impact
Ndidi played 58 minutes, displaying his trademark composure and defensive solidity before being replaced by Harry Winks. While he didn’t register a goal or assist, his presence was felt in midfield.
His exit proved costly, as Leicester struggled to retain control, allowing United to capitalize and secure the comeback victory. Despite the loss, Ndidi’s early return is a major positive for Leicester and Nigeria as he regains full match fitness.
