Leicester City vs Manchester United Player Ratings
A few defensive errors and a lack of clinical finishing gave Leicester the chance to snatch a late equaliser and pin United a further two points behind City to make the deficit an almost unreachable thirteen points from 1st place.
DAVID DE GEA 6/10
Nothing he could do about either goals, he was stranded by his defence. Other than the goals there was not much to do for the Spanish no.1 and only had to make one save all game.
VICTOR LINDELOF 7/10
Despite heavy criticism on social media for not running back for the Vardy goal, overall Lindelof played very well at right back and dealt with the pace of Gray very well. He is continuing to become much stronger and intelligent in his defending and his distribution is consistently good.
CHRIS SMALLING 5/10
Gave Mahrez enough time to find Vardy for the goal and was at fault for the last minute equaliser as he returned from the sideline and did not get close enough to Maguire to stop his free run and finish and simply looked on as it slotted into the net.
PHIL JONES 7.5/10
Very good performance today. He was strong and powerful in his defending and quick to the ball when he needed to be. Should he stay fit for the season he should hopefully carry his good form into the World Cup with England as Gareth Southgate prefers him to the likes of Maguire, Keane and even Cahill.
ASHLEY YOUNG 6/10
His passing was a little off yesterday and he really struggled (as many have) against the pace and wizardry of Riyad Mahrez and will be looking over his shoulder for club and country as Luke Shaw keeps trying to force his way into the first team.
PAUL POGBA 7/10
His passing was just that little bit off again today but his strength and pace influenced the attacking play in other ways. He had one effort on target but from around 30 yards out and with not enough power to trouble Schmeichel and will really hope for another goal soon.
NEMANJA MATIC 7/10
Played very well and like Pogba bridged the gap between defence and attack very well. He got booked early in the second half for a challenge on Mahrez so might have been a bit cautious in the second half with respect to his challenges but overall played very well.
JUAN MATA 9/10
Wonderful performance. Played on the wing, as a no.10 and even as deep as Pogba or Matic at parts but was influential wherever he played. The first finish was clinical and the free kick was sublime. He needed those goals to keep him in the team and will hopefully start against Burnley on Boxing Day.
JESSE LINGARD 6.5/10
He had one good chance in the first half and came close but his touch to set up Mata was composed but lost all composure to seal the game in the second half and missed an open goal and instead smacked the post with his right foot.
ANTHONY MARTIAL 6.5/10
Looked dangerous like Lingard but lost all composure when it all mattered and on another day would have slotted the ball into the goal from 12 yards out and not sent it out of the stadium.
ROMELU LUKAKU 7.5/10
Held the ball up well and played Lingard and Martial in and had they finished the chance would have had two assists today. He plays much better when Pogba is in the team and looks like creating chances. He will hopefully score against Burnley on Boxing Day to build his confidence up further.
SUBS
MARCUS RASHFORD 6/10
Drew the foul from Amartey with his pace and strong runs. Recently he has been hesitant to shoot or pass first time and that has shown in this game as he could have played Lukaku in first time and finished first time when played in by Pogba but might be reluctant to do so due to a lack of confidence and with Martial being preferred to start by Mourinho.
ANDER HERRERA 6/10
Was forced to play right back when Smalling was injured but played very well for the time he was on
HENRIKH MKHITARYAN 5/10
Really should have scored at the death. He tried a few things but none really came off. His confidence is very low and may be lower if he continues to be in a lesser role for the club and could go the extremity of departing after only 18 months at Old Trafford.
MAN OF THE MATCH: JUAN MATA
