Manchester United prolonged their unbeaten streak to eight video games in all competitions with a 3-0 win over Leicester Metropolis at Outdated Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Courtesy of Sunday’s consequence and Manchester Metropolis’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, third-placed United have moved inside three factors of second-placed Metropolis within the Premier League rankings.
The Purple Devils endured an uncertain begin in entrance of a packed Outdated Trafford on Sunday. Within the eighth minute, Fred gave possession away in midfield, permitting Harvey Barnes to play a little bit one-two with Kelechi Iheanacho earlier than having a go at purpose. David de Gea made himself huge to cease Barnes from wheeling away in celebration.
A few minutes later, James Maddison performed Iheanacho by way of on purpose. The previous Metropolis man, nonetheless, didn’t carry the ball below management and made an entire mess of his strike, permitting Victor Lindelof to steer it away from the purpose.
Within the twentieth minute, Ilheanacho received on the tip of Timothy Castagne’s cross into the United field, directing a fantastic header towards the bottom-left nook. De Gea reacted beautifully to maintain his staff from going behind.
Having been below the cosh for over 20 minutes, Manchester United put themselves in entrance in opposition to the run of play within the twenty fifth minute. Bruno Fernandes performed Marcus Rashford by way of on purpose with a slide rule cross, and the Englishman made no mistake in making use of the final touch.
Manchester United had a golden alternative to double their lead within the thirty seventh minute when Fernandes discovered Diogo Dalot with a teasing ball throughout the face of the purpose. The fullback shockingly didn’t make sufficient contact with the supply and touched it behind for a purpose kick.
The half-time staff speak did wonders for Manchester United as they utterly dominated proceedings within the second 45. Rashford doubled his tally within the 56th minute, latching on to Fred’s cross and placing it previous Danny Ward.
5 minutes after Rashford’s insurance coverage purpose, substitute Jadon Sancho put the sport to mattress. The England worldwide mixed with Fernandes earlier than making use of a first-time end to take the ball past Ward. Wout Weghorst may have added one other purpose to United’s tally within the 88th minute, however the Dutch ahead didn’t beat Ward from mere yards away from purpose.
United didn’t do almost sufficient within the first half however utterly ran the present within the second 45 to seal a well-deserved victory. Listed here are the 5 gamers who stood out of their conflict in opposition to the Foxes on Sunday:
#5 Lisandro Martinez
Like most of his teammates, Lisandro Martinez additionally failed to seek out his footing within the first half in opposition to Leicester. Nonetheless, he performed like a person possessed within the second 45.
Shortly into the second half, he got here near scoring, clattering the crossbar with a headed effort. He additionally blocked a number of pictures, carried the ball ahead with grace, and received greater than his justifiable share of duels.
In opposition to Leicester Metropolis, Martinez blocked three pictures, received seven of 10 duels, accomplished two dribbles, and performed a key cross.
#4 David de Gea
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea had a fairly busy first half. Had it not been for his heroics, Erik ten Hag’s facet may have discovered themselves in a trickier place heading into the break. Within the eighth minute, he denied Barnes along with his trailing left foot. Twelve minutes later, he beautifully received throughout the purpose to cease Iheanacho’s header with a powerful proper hand.
Over the course of the sport, De Gea made three saves, with two of the pictures coming from contained in the field. He additionally delivered 12 correct lengthy balls, accomplished 27 passes with 73% accuracy, and made a clearance.
#3 Jadon Sancho
Introduced on for an underperforming Alejandro Garnacho on the break, Jadon Sancho produced a exceptional efficiency. He created a number of goalscoring alternatives, linked up beautifully with teammates, and scored a wonderful purpose to triple United’s lead.
Massive staff efficiency! Glad to get on the scoresheet, however the focus switches to the massive week forward. 🔴 https://t.co/vxOChwkSDP
Sancho handed the ball to Fernandes on the suitable and continued his down the center. The Portuguese returned the ball promptly to the Englishman, who utilized a first-time end to beat Ward. The wonderful purpose apart, Sancho performed three key passes, accomplished two dribbles, and created an enormous likelihood.
#2 Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford has emerged as Manchester United’s unabashed talisman within the post-Cristiano Ronaldo period. On Sunday, he prolonged his purple patch with two sharp objectives in opposition to the Foxes. Within the twenty fifth minute, he did ever so effectively to beat Leicester’s offside lure and discover the bottom-left nook with a measured drive.
Within the 56th minute, he doubled his cash, zipping previous Castagne and discovering his well beyond Ward. Rashford, who has scored 24 objectives this season (36 video games), additionally accomplished two dribbles, received 4 floor duels, and tried a sort out.
#1 Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes was on the coronary heart of all-things-positive for Manchester United on Sunday. Within the first half, Fernandes performed Rashford by way of with a perfectly-weighted supply for United’s opener. Once more, within the 61st minute, he returned the ball to Sancho, resulting in his well-taken purpose. Fernandes may have had a 3rd help to his identify had Dalot been a tad extra medical along with his effort on the finish of the primary half.
An excellent afternoon at Outdated Trafford and we simply should proceed on this manner. 💪🏻 https://t.co/mUsIdT7bpl
On Premier League matchday 24, Fernandes performed a whopping 9 key passes and created three huge probabilities. He delivered 5 correct crosses, accomplished 4 dribbles, received eight floor duels, and drew three fouls. The Portuguese celebrity was virtually unplayable in opposition to Leicester on Sunday.
