Leicester City 1 - 4 Manchester United: Foxes humiliated
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Preimer leauge balls on the pitch prior to kick off during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on September 24, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
This weekend saw Premier League champions Leicester City get humiliated at Old Trafford as they lost to Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United 4 – 1.
Pre-Match Thoughts
Leicester City have had a mixed bag as we headed into the 6th round of fixtures.
With losses against both Hull City and Liverpool, the foxes saw themselves in just 11th place after 5 fixtures.
Leicester travelled to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, a match that saw them lose 4 – 2 in extra time to Jose Mourinho’s former club.
The result was nothing to dwell for foxes fans however as Claudio Ranieri mainly fielded a B-Team in order to focus on the Premier League and Champions League.
Losing to Chelsea can be spun into a positive, freeing up an already busy schedule.
Going into the United clash there was only one major injury concern, Kasper Schmeichel, who missed out on last weekend’s clash with Burnley following a concussion.
Ranieri also elected to start Ron-Robert Zieler against Chelsea and after Kasper picked up a hamstring scare in the week, Claudio chose to field Zieler again at Old Trafford.
Leicester City fans were hoping that Daniel Amartey could carry on the form he showed during his outstanding game against Swansea at the King Power as he hasn’t showed us that form since, looking lacklustre versus Liverpool and Burnley.
Another key man in the squad is Islam ‘Super Slim’ Slimani who scored two headed goals in his debut versus Burnley last weekend.
Word on the street from Sporing Lisbon fans is that Islam loves a big game, so he was definitely one to watch out for during the trip to Old Trafford.
Today’s starting XI #MnuLei pic.twitter.com/bT1iwi03HR
— Leicester City (@LCFC) September 24, 2016
The main talking point however comes from Jose Mourinho’s selection of his Manchester United starting 11.
Many questioned if he’d show the audacity to drop club legend Wayne Rooney following an abysmal start to the season.
Jose silenced the crowd as going into the clash with Leicester, he dropped Rooney to the bench. Perfect timing for the foxes, huh?
The teams are in! Here’s how #MUFC will line up this afternoon. #MUNLEI pic.twitter.com/WabgI7wEXO
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 24, 2016
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Paul Pogba of Manchester United (L) celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal with Jesse Lingard of Manchester United (R) during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on September 24, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
First Half
Manchester United got the half underway as they attack from left to right.
The first action of the half came in the 4th minute following a stunning pass from Pogba to find Valencia on the right. His cross is headed out to Blind who tried for the screamer, it flew to row Z.
The 7th minute saw Mata take his first corner of the game which was cleared by Zieler with a punch that fell to Ibrahimovic who tried to shoot on the turn but it flew way off of the mark.
A very strong start from United who have had the lions share of possession but when has that ever bothered Leicester?
Leicester City’s first real chance came in the 10th minute as Slimani saw himself with space in the box however Albrighton’s left footed cross was poor and De Gea collected the ball easily.
The foxes really began to come into the game as in the 16th minute their corner was poorly cleared and after a succession of shots, was finally kicked out by United to the relief of the home crowd.
Calamity for Leicester in the 22nd minute, despite being the better team, Chris Smalling found the back of the net following a Manchester United corner. A great header from the United captain.
Manchester United 1 – 0 Leicester City (Smalling, 22)
The 26th minute saw Rashford go for the classic bicycle kick, his confidence is sky high at the moment, as was his attempt.
Just a minute later Ibrahimovic also went for an absolute stunner after a brilliantly dinked pass from Pogba. he chose to go for the volley which went way over the bar.
HEADS HIGH Chris Smalling leaps to power home Manchester United’s opener #MUNLEI pic.twitter.com/Vz3HdZxzsr
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 24, 2016
Zieler got there just in time as he put the ball out for a corner.
United scored their second in the 37th minute as Juan Mata beats Zieler, shooting the ball into the far corner. A terrible response from City since they conceded their first goal.
Manchester United 2 – 0 Leicester City (Mata, 37)
Could things get any worse for the foxes at this point? Of course they could.
Just 3 minutes later, Mata found himself unmarked at the near post following a corner. With time on the ball he slid it into young Marcus Rashford who just can’t stop scoring.
Manchester United 3 – 0 Leicester City (Rashford, 40)
I think every United fan will be delighted with the scoreline so far, only man who might not be however is Wayne Rooney as it’s clear that this midfield is incredible without him holding them back.
???? Marcus Rashford slots home Man Utd’s third goal #MUNLEI pic.twitter.com/Jb7SYlwm6d
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 24, 2016
The sheer amount of chances being created was even clearer in the 42nd minute as Pogba heads the ball in for United’s 4th of the first half and his first since returning to Old Trafford.
Manchester United 4 – 0 Leicester City (Pogba, 42)
As Leicester City enter the tunnel for half time, they trail 4 goals to nil. Oh to be a fly in the wall of that dressing room!
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Demarai Gray of Leicester City (R) celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Daniel Drinkwater of Leicester City (L) during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on September 24, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Second Half
Leicester City kick off the second half after making two substitutions.
Andy King replaces Jamie Vardy
Demarai Gray replaces Riyad Mahrez
As the first 5 minutes get underway it’s clear that Mourinho’s side are comfortable with their lead. After all, who’d blame them?
With this being said, the first action comes in the form of a booking.
Huth gets himself into the referee’s book following a foul on Paul Pogba.
The 53rd minute saw a poor clearance from David De Gea, however as the ball falls to Demarai Gray they foxes fail to capitalise.
Just 6 minutes later Leicester City finally broke through!
The star of the second half Demarai Gray picked up the ball on the left wing and floated a brace into De Gea’s far corner from 25 yards out.
What a talent he is.
Manchester United 4 – 1 Leicester City (Gray, 59)
Ranieri made his final substitution in the 61st minute as he replaced Marc Albrighton with Jeff Schlupp.
At this point it was clear that Claudio was going for a more direct approach with players running at defenders rather than shaping crosses into Slimani.
In the 68th minute club veteran Andy King should have made it 4 – 2.
Unmarked in the box, he should have found the back of the net, instead his weak shot went straight to De Gea.
You’d have expected Leicester City’s all time top goalscorer from Midfield do better there.
Danny Simpson whips in a cross for Leicester under the attention of Marcus Rashford #MUNLEI pic.twitter.com/P1POpkZvnV
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 24, 2016
In the 72nd minute, United’s corner was cleared to Herrera who has had a decent game in midfield. His shooting however has been anything but decent as it flies over the bar.
The 80th minute saw Gray try his luck again! This time from even further out however De Gea was on his toes as the shot curled towards his far corner. The ball is tipped out for a corner kick.
3 minutes later Jose Mourinho brings on Wayne Rooney, replacing the scorer of United’s 3rd, Marcus Rashford.
Full-time: Manchester United 4-1 Leicester City #MnuLei pic.twitter.com/ojsowQPiVe
— Leicester City (@LCFC) September 24, 2016
As the full time whistle blows, Leicester City leave Old Trafford with their heads down.
Full Time: Manchester United 4 – 1 Leicester City
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Claudio Ranieri, Manager of Leicester City gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on September 24, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Post Match Thoughts
Leicester City built their title win on the back of their solid defence, this season they’re looking to set the record for the worst ever season following a title win.
If there’s one thing you expect Leicester to do well, it’s defend a corner.
Claudio Ranieri needs his players to be putting in work on the training ground on defending them.
Why was Fuchs marking Pogba? Why was nobody marking Smalling? These are things that should be done instinctively as everybody should know their roles.
As for going forward, they looked strong for the first 20 minutes however a combination of having the wind knocked out of their sails following Smalling’s goal and United coming into the game made things go from bad to worse.
Leicester City rarely retain the ball, however in possession are often very fluid.
Today they looked like they were back in League 2 with the way they passed the ball around. I was almost waiting for DJ Campbell to replace Jamie Vardy.
United however looked spectacular.
Following questions of their play over the past couple of weeks, Mourinho and his squad answered them perfectly.
It was just unfortunate that Leicester City were in the firing line.
Rooney’s exclusion looked a no-brainer to many of us however for a manager to drop him, it’s not quite as simple as it seems.
Jose showed the leadership and courage to drop the club legend and it payed off.
One positive for Leicester City fans to take from the result however is Demarai Gray, who after coming on looked fantastic for the traveling side.
Bagging himself a goal and looking as positive as ever when running at defenders, he’s certainly one to look out for.
Leicester City travel to Porto on Wednesday for their second Champions League fixture and fans will hope for a much improved showing.
The toughest game in the group, the foxes will have to be on their toes and sharp in order to come out trumps against the Portuguese side that finished 3rd in Primeira Liga last season.
Let’s hope that Ranieri had some strong words for the lads at half time and that the words stuck.
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