While Manchester United might have marked their return from the international break seeking some stability, the former Premier League champions were hit with a nightmare at the King Power as they slumped to a 4-2 defeat on the road.
In what is an early-season contender for Game of the Campaign, the Reds only showed the same issues that haunted them prior to October’s break and United have now failed to win any of their last four domestic contests on the bounce.
Blown away by the Foxes in the second-half as Brendan Rodgers’ side put in what was undoubtedly their best display since opening the 2021/22 campaign, we have taken a look at the key talking points as Leicester hit United for four at the King Power.
Leicester find their grove
Last seen heading into the international break throwing away a two-goal lead at Selhurst Park, it is fair to say that Leicester have failed to find top gear with much stability since opening the new campaign.
Hit with that shock 1-0 Europa League defeat away at Legia Warsaw when drawing a close to September, Brendan Rodgers’ side opened Saturday’s meeting at the King Power with just seven points from their opening seven Premier League contests.
However, with Youri Tielemans pulling Leicester back onto level terms only 12 minutes after United’s opener with a wonderful curling effort from the edge of the box, the Foxes ran rampant in the second-half as Caglar Soyuncu, Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka completed what was an action-packed affair.
Glad to have welcomed back defensive talisman Johnny Evans and landing their first Premier League victory since the end of August, Leicester will be hoping that Saturday’s display will be the start of something, rather than a minor boost.
Vardy haunts United again
While Rodgers and fans around the King Power will still have a minor headache over their side’s extended problems at the back since opening the 2021/22 campaign, there is no doubt that the one-time Liverpool boss will be hugely excited by Jamie Vardy’s early-season purple patch.
Undoubtedly the standout performer for Leicester once again so far this year and opening this weekend’s return to action sat level with Mohamed Salah at the top of the scoring charts, the 34-year-old came back to haunt Saturday’s guests.
Pouncing on more bad defending from the former English champions, Vardy smashed home past David de Gea only seconds after United levelled the game late into the second-half.
Recording his seventh Premier League strike with a trademark clinical finish, Vardy also added to a rampant record against the struggling giants. With six goals against United to his name, the now-ex England striker also recorded his 42nd goal against ‘top-six’ opposition.
What now for Ole?
While Mason Greenwood’s stunning opener after 19 minuets might have got Manchester United fans dreaming of a statement on the road, it was another worrying display that will only see more pressure get piled onto Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s shoulders.
Appearing a million miles off mounting any kind of serious title charge once again this season, the former Premier League champions have now failed to win any of their last four domestic contests, despite breaking the bank on the likes of Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo over the summer.
With their returning attacking icon once again cutting a frustrated figure at the King Power, an under pressure Solskjaer will have a real headache over his side’s rather glaring issues at the back.
Despite welcoming back skipper Harry Maguire on Saturday, the former Leicester defender put in a nightmare display against his former teammates, and the Premier League struggles have now managed to record just a single clean sheet from any of their 11 fixtures across all competitions so far this season.
Although Marcus Rashford might have marked his first appearance with what was a consolation goal after coming off the bench with 25 minutes left, it is hard to find any positives for United on what was another dreadful display.
Match Report:
Leicester City: Schmeichel (7), Amartey (6.5), Evans (7), Soyuncu (7.5), Pereira (6.5), Tielemans (8), Soumaré (6.5), Castagne (6.5), Maddison (7.5), Iheanacho (7.5), Vardy (9)
Subs: Daka (7.5), Vestergaard (N/A), Perez (7)
Manchester United: De Gea (5.5), Wan-Bissaka (3.5), Lindelof (3.5), Maguire (2), Shaw (4), Pogba (4), Matic (4), Fernandes (3), Greenwood (7), Sancho (3), Ronaldo (3)
Subs: Rashford (7), Lingard (4), McTominay (3)
Goals: Leicester: Tielemans 31’, Soyuncu 78’, Vardy 83’, Daka 90+1’ – Manchester United: Greenwood 19’, Rashford 82’
Yellow Cards: Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Pogba
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Craig Pawson
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
