Ruud van Nistelrooy's return to Old Trafford in the FA Cup will be a poignant one for many reasons.
A legendary figure as a Manchester United player, Van Nistelrooy was called upon to take interim charge of the club earlier this season. During that time, his old stomping ground - where he enjoyed so many years as a player - became the stage of his Leicester audition.
The Dutchman had two opportunities to show his managerial credentials against the Foxes, with half of his four games in interim charge of United spent facing Leicester.
A couple of convincing wins, one in the league and another in the Carabao Cup, meant Van Nistelrooy was top of the shortlist when Leicester parted ways with Steve Cooper in late November.
However, it's been two long months for Van Nistelrooy, who had never managed an away game in England before taking the Leicester job.
Van Nistelrooy took over a Leicester side in 16th, one point above the relegation zone. A promising start saw Van Nistelrooy's side put three past West Ham before coming from two down to recover a spirited point against Brighton.
However, Leicester have lost eight of their nine Premier League fixtures since then.
While a 2-1 win at Spurs ended a dismal run of seven straight losses, a 4-0 hammering at Everton means the Foxes now sit 18th, two points below the dotted line.
The appointment of Van Nistelrooy matched fan ambitions to move towards an attractive style of play. While Cooper's experience of the league strengthened his position, failing to inspire on the pitch sealed his fate.
Van Nistelrooy's football has been the more pleasing to the eye, with Leicester adopting a counter-punch style.
However, in a comparison between his first 11 league games in charge compared to Cooper's first 12, there is very little to distinguish the two sides.
Cooper's side, despite facing criticism, had a marginally better expected goals total, with 1.03 per 90 minutes in contrast to Van Nistelrooy's 0.92.
There is also very little to separate the sides on a defensive front, where prior issues have continued under new management. Van Nistelrooy's side have conceded more league goals in 11 games than Cooper's did in 12.
It took Everton just 10.18 seconds to open the scoring against Leicester when Abdoulaye Doucoure netted the quickest home goal in Premier League history.
Doucoure's goal compounded Leicester's defensive frailties, bringing their tally to 50 conceded for the season - the earliest the club had reached the total since 1960.
Issues with goals at both ends have swept the King Power Stadium this season but injuries have contributed to Leicester's form. Van Nistelrooy has been unable to call upon some key personnel, with Mads Hermansen, Wilfred Ndidi, Abdul Fatawu and Ricardo Pereira among those who have nursed or are still nursing injuries since his arrival.
Individual errors are also a problem for Van Nistelrooy. Under Cooper, the Foxes made two errors leading to a goal, while under Van Nistelrooy that number has doubled in one fewer game as his side strives to adapt to a new way of playing.
Unfortunately the winter window did very little to alleviate Van Nistelrooy's problems. Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR) meant Leicester couldn't bring in the reinforcements that Van Nistelrooy wanted to improve his side's situation. Woyo Coulibaly represented Leicester's only incoming during the window.
The 25-year-old full-back joined from Parma but started his career at Le Havre, the French club famous for producing Riyad Mahrez, among others. Leicester fans will be hoping for a Mahrez-like impact during his time at the club but the pressure is on. Leicester's relegation rivals were able to strengthen in ways the Foxes couldn't. Wolves, above Leicester in 17th, made four signings, while both Southampton and Ipswich brought in five players in a bid to stay up.
The odds are stacked against Van Nistelrooy's side to avoid relegation but there's nothing like a strong FA Cup run to take the edge off what's otherwise been a disappointing return to the top flight.
What a stage Old Trafford could be for Van Nistelrooy to ignite his Leicester side.
