EPL – Manchester United vs Leicester: The Red Devils needed the three points at home against Leicester on Saturday to prevent the North London clubs from moving further ahead of them in the race for UCL football.
As for Leicester, any point at Old Trafford would have given them the momentum to seal a spot in the top half of the table.
The first half ended goalless where neither were able to gain any sort of control over the gameplay. Barnes, however, did create panic at the Theatre of Dreams.
The second half, although better, was still largely forgettable. Iheanacho scored from a scrumptious Maddison’s cross to score in the 63rd minute.
Within a space of three minutes, Schmeichel made a poor clearance which was intercepted by Varane, who fed it to Fernandes. Bruno’s shot was saved by the Danish shot stopper, only for Fred to equalise.
Thus, the contest ended in a 1-1 draw. Sure, the result did take United’s undefeated run at home up to six. However, the team should do much better to compete with Arsenal and Spurs.
EPL – Manchester United vs Leicester: Player ratings
Manchester United: de Gea (7), Dalot (6), Varane (6), Maguire (7), Shaw (5), Fred (7), McTominay (5), Elanga (6), Pogba (5), Sancho (6), Bruno Fernandes (6).
Subs: Rashford (7), Alex Telles (6), Matic (6).
Leicester: Schmeichel (7), Justin (7), Evans (6), Fofana (7), Castagne (6), Tielemans (7), Mendy (6), Maddison (8), Dewsbury-Hall (7), Barnes (7), Iheanacho (7).
Subs: Amartey (6), Choudhury (n/a), Daka (n/a).
Man of the match: James Maddison.
Managers’ Reaction
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick: “The second half was the better one, we were struggling to find the rhythm in the first half possibly because of the international break. We gave away a goal on a transitional moment but the reaction after was good and scored a goal. In the end we are not happy with the result but the second half was OK.
“The only one we had was Marcus Rashford. 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.
“The reaction of our supporters and they are the best in England. Harry Maguire had a flawless game defensively and offensively. He prefers to play on the left side but I decided he should play on the right after seeing him for England and as a right-footed player is makes it easy to play.”
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers: “I thought we were very good in large spells of the game. We started well and could have been precise without passing but in the main the positioning and movement was good. The second half we scored a couple of great goals, their keeper makes a great save and we are bitterly disappointed not to get the goal.
“Jonny Evans’ calf tightened up after the international game but I was very happy with the team and back to where we have been the last few years. Playing good football and looking a threat.
“It was a good performance away here, disappointed to not win and that is always a good sign. The football was very good but we passed it well a lot of the time and got into some good areas. But for a decision, we would have won the game.”
