Manchester United hosted Leicester City at Old Trafford as the sides battled it out in the Premier League. In the previous encounter, Leicester City won 4-2 at the King Power Stadium. Patson Daka added the cherry on top of a perfect cake that day when he scored Leicester’s 4th in added time. That goal ensured the game was beyond Manchester United’s reach.
Manchester United should have come into this encounter refreshed after a long international break which meant the likes of Sancho, Rashford and Matic were afforded a rest. They should also have come into the encounter with less to lose as Arsenal are in pole position to clinch fourth place.
Ralf Rangnick’s side was without Cristiano Ronaldo, who had flu-like symptoms. As a result, Elanga got to start in attack. Throughout the game, United managed to have 54 percent possession, with a total of 11 shots, five of which were on target. In comparison, Leicester City had 46 percent possession, with a total of 11 shots, three of which were on target.
Manchester United struggle in first half
Harvey Barnes headed over from Maddison’s in swinging free-kick two minutes into the encounter. Nine minutes later amazing ball movement from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Iheanacho and Barnes resulted in the latter firing wide.
Later on in the first half Paul Pogba’s header was comfortably gathered by Schmeichel. Fernandes shot straight at Schmeichel after driving into the box box following an interception from Fred. This was the best chance so far and Schmeichel did well to deny him with his feet.
On the 31st minute Iheanacho fired wide from the edge of the penalty area. Five minutes later Leicester went close again after Barnes got in front of Dalot from Maddison’s whipped delivery.
Manchester United’s average 2nd half
The first chance was Fernandes unconvincing header from Dalot’s cross from the byline. On the 63rd minute Leicester took the lead when Iheanacho headed beyond De Gea’s reach from a wonderful Maddison cross. It all started from a failed attempt to counter attack from Manchester United.
Just minutes later, Fred scored from Bruno Fernandes’s rebound. Originally Bruno did well to find the space to work the shot which was pushed away by the Leicester keeper. Fred swept in the rebound.
On the 71st minute Sancho’s back pass put Iheanacho threw on goal but he dinked it over the keeper. A minute later Maddison’s set piece found Fofana whose header forced an acrobatic save from David De Gea.
With 10 minutes left, Maddison had a goal disallowed after Varane was fouled in the build up. On the 84th minute, Tielemens effort from range went straight into the arms of De Gea.
Rangnick on Rashford
”The only one we had was Marcus Rashford,” added the boss. ”We knew this morning Cristiano could not play and decided to start Paul Pogba. After 60 minutes we made the change and had a central striker on the pitch.”
”It is no secret that he was not full of confidence in the last couple of weeks. In training he is looking well but it was a question between Paul and Marcus, we went with Paul.”
This interview only reinforces the idea that Manchester United could do with Martial at the moment. Wanting to escape his situation at Manchester United, Antony Martial pushed for the loan move to join Spanish giant Sevilla to revive his football career and the hopes of making it to the French national team going to the world cup in Qatar. In hindsight he should have stayed because Cavani is injury prone and Rashford is out of form.
