Manchester United played host to Midlands side Leicester City earlier today at Old Trafford in the Premier League. Leicester and manager Brendan Rodgers knew they were up against a team in good form today, but the 2016 champions are on the edge of relegation territory and would want at least a point from this match to keep themselves afloat. United manager Erik ten Hag has the Red Devils in their best form in years, but despite that this match had the feeling of a “trap game.” With Barcelona coming to Old Trafford on Thursday, it would be easy for the players to look past the Foxes and not be as mentally ready as needed.
The “trap game” concerns were well-founded in the opening 20 minutes or so. Even though United had created some early pressure, it was Leicester who had the first good chance when striker Harvey Barnes forced a last-ditch save from United keeper David De Gea just 8 minutes into the game. He was through on goal and should have scored, but the shot-stopping prowess of De Gea showed through. He was called into action again just as the clock struck 21 minutes, making a diving save to his right to deny Foxes striker Kelechi Iheanacho’s header. Leicester were causing all kinds of problems down their attacking right side, with United struggling to create anything meaningful of their own.
But it was United who got the first goal of the match on 25 minutes, somewhat against the run of play. Leicester gave the ball away around the halfway line, and it was immediately played into the feet of midfielder Bruno Fernandes on the right wing. He spotted striker Marcus Rashford ahead of him, and played a brilliant side-footed pass over the top and into the path of Rashford’s run. The Leicester defense was all over the place with several men out of position, and Rashford was able to run straight at keeper Danny Ward’s goal unimpeded. He got into the box, spotted the opening, and calmly put it to the left of Ward and into the back of the net from about 12 yards out. A good goal from United, but it must be said that the defending from Leicester was very poor. Rashford is in the form of his life right now and whatever the plan was for marking him, they didn’t stick to it. You can’t give him that much space and time on the ball, or he will punish you. 1-0 to United!
Leicester midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall shot wide of the goal on 30 minutes as the away side attempted to respond. But they were nearly further undone on 36 minutes when right back Diogo Dalot played a 1-2 with Bruno, but he couldn’t get clean contact on the return pass and he pushed it wide. Foxes midfielder James Maddison shot wide from distance in first half stoppage time and left back Luke Shaw blazed over from a free kick, but there were no further goals and United went into the locker room ahead 1-0. It felt though that United would need more than one goal before they would feel comfortable about winning.
Fortunately, United came alive in the second half. Center back Lisandro Martinez saw a header go off the crossbar on 49 minutes from another Shaw free kick. Bruno forced Ward into a save from distance shortly after that, with Rashford also forcing Ward into action after a fine counter-attack. Rashford actually did have the ball in the back of the net on 56 minutes after a great through-ball from midfielder Fred, but the flag went up for offside. VAR checked the offside though, and for once it actually went in United’s favor. The goal was awarded due to a Leicester defender on the far side of the pitch playing Rashford on, and Rashford got his second goal of the day. 24 on the season now, and 2-0 United!
The lads were really going for it at that point. The confidence was sky-high and it was great to see them playing that way. United got their third goal on 61 minutes after some fantastic teamwork in attack. Rashford brought the ball forward quickly after Leicester gave it away near the halfway line. He then took a few touches before playing in substitute midfielder/winger Jadon Sancho. Sancho took a touch or two on the edge of the box before finding Bruno out to his right, after which he continued running forward towards the goal. Bruno hit a return pass perfectly into the feet of Sancho, and he prodded it home with his left foot. Ward had no chance. It’s so great that Sancho is getting back to the heights of powers. He’s an absurdly talented player and seeing him score goals and coordinate fluid attacking moves is exactly what United brought him in to do. 3-0!
United continued their domination of Leicester throughout the rest of the match. Shaw and Sancho both went close to getting a 4th, but there were no more goals scored by either side as United slowed down a bit in the final 15 minutes. The points were in the bag and they have a huge match against Barcelona on Thursday, so they opted to retain possession and kill the clock. Leicester had a shot on goal that forced De Gea into a save in stoppage time, but the clean sheet remained intact. The final whistle blew without further major incident and United won 3-0!
An excellent match from Rashford, Bruno, Fred, Sancho (when he came on), Shaw, Dalot, De Gea, and midfielder Marcel Sabitzer. Sabitzer has quietly been very neat and tidy with his possession and passing since signing on loan from Bayern Munich in January. He knows where to play the ball, and he has the technical skill to carry it through midfield if needed. I liked the attacking tactic deployed by ETH today (and in previous matches) where the fullbacks (Dalot and Shaw) are sent on attacking runs through the middle of the pitch. Usually fullbacks remain wide and hit crosses into the box, and while United’s fullbacks do that too, they are routinely cutting inside from their defensive position to make a run into the middle of the box. It causes confusion among the opposing defense because they don’t appear to be sure how to mark them. Rashford being in sensational form helps cause issues as well, because when the fullback is running into the middle either he or Bruno are lurking nearby. ETH has set up this team brilliantly, and most importantly the players have bought in to what he wants to do. Absolutely brilliant day today from everyone.
United remain 3rd in the table, but are now just three points behind 2nd place Manchester City with the same number of games played. League leaders Arsenal are 5 points ahead, but they also have a game in hand. It can be said out loud now – United are likely in the title race. Of course that can change very easily week-to-week, but United are breathing down the necks of the contenders. They remain 7 points clear of Tottenham in 4th place.
Next up is Barcelona at Old Trafford on Thursday, in the return leg of the Round of 32 in the Europa League. A 2-2 at the Camp Nou last week means the tie finely poised, and I feel both teams are really going to go for it.
Glory Glory Man United! Glazers Out!
4-4-2 