Manchester United extended their unbeaten streak to eight games in all competitions with a 3-0 win over Leicester City at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Thanks to Sunday’s results and Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, third-placed United are three points behind second-placed Man City in the Premier League table.
The Red Devils got off to an uncertain start against a crowded Old Trafford on Sunday. Eight minutes into the game, Fred lost control of the ball in the midfield, letting Harvey Barnes play a one or two with Kelechi Iheanacho before scoring. David de Gea make yourself big to stop Barnes from rolling away to celebrate.
A few minutes later, James Maddison scored Iheanacho. However, the former Man City player failed to control the ball and made a completely messy attack, allowing Victor Lindelof to steer it away from the target.
After 20 minutes, Ilheanacho picked up Timothy Castagne’s cross into the United box, a nice header to the bottom left corner. De Gea has countered brilliantly to keep his team from falling behind.
Having been trailing for more than 20 minutes, Manchester United took the lead in the 25th minute. Bruno Fernandes Marcus Rashford crossed the goal with a missed pass, and the Englishman made no mistake with his shot.
Manchester United had a golden opportunity to double the lead in the 37th minute when Fernandes found Diogo Dalot with a cross over goal. The full-back shocked the ball when he didn’t make enough contact with the service and touched the back to kick the ball up.
Team-mates talk worked wonders for Manchester United as they completely dominated the game in the second 45th minute. Rashford doubled the lead in the 56th minute, picked up Fred’s pass and scored. Danny’s Ward.
Five minutes after Rashford’s insurance goal, substitute Jadon Sancho put the game on the bed. The England international teamed up with Fernandes before making the first shot to put the ball past Ward. Wout Weghorst could have added another goal to United’s total in the 88th minute, but the Dutch forward was unable to beat Ward from just yards away.
United barely played enough in the first half but went all out in the second forty-five to claim a well-deserved victory. Here are five players that stood out in Sunday’s clash with the Foxes:
#5 Lisandro Martinez
Like most of his teammates, Lisandro Martinez also failed to find a place in the first half against Leicester. However, he played like a ghost in the second 45th minute.
Right in the second half, he almost scored, sending the ball over the bar with a header. He also saved many shots, gracefully moved the ball forward, and won more duels in duels.
Against Leicester City, Martinez saved three shots, won seven of his 10 duels, completed two dribbles and made a key pass.
#4 David de Gea
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea had a rather busy first half. Had it not been for his bravery, Erik ten Hag’s team might have been in a more difficult position heading into halftime. In the eighth minute, he denied Barnes with his left foot. 12 minutes later, he had a superb stretch to save Iheanacho’s header with a powerful right-handed cut.
Over the course of the game, De Gea made three saves, with two of them from inside the box. He also made 12 accurate long passes, made 27 passes with a 73% accuracy rate and made 1 save.
#3 Jadon Sancho
Brought to an underperforming team Alejandro Garnacho At halftime, Jadon Sancho put on a remarkable performance. He created many scoring opportunities, linked up well with his teammates and scored a brilliant goal to triple United’s lead.
Great team performance! Nice to be on the scoreboard, but the focus shifts to the big week ahead. 🔴 https://t.co/vxOChwkSDP
Sancho passed the ball to Fernandes on the right and continued down the middle. The Portuguese returned the ball immediately to the Englishman, who made the first shot to beat Ward. Goal excellence aside, Sancho made three crucial passes, completed two dribbles and created a huge chance.
#2 Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford has emerged as an unshakable talisman of Manchester United in the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era. On Sunday, he extended his purple array with two sharp goals against the Foxes. In the 25th minute, he did well to beat Leicester’s offside trap and find the bottom left corner with a well-placed header.
In the 56th minute, he doubled his money, overtook Castagne and found his way past Ward. Rashford, who has scored 24 goals this season (36 games), also completed 2 dribbles, won 4 land disputes and attempted tackles.
#1Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes was at the center of everything positive for Manchester United on Sunday. In the first half, Fernandes overtook Rashford with a perfect serve to open the scoring for United. Again, in the 61st minute, he returned the ball to Sancho, leading to his beautiful goal. Fernandes would have had the third assist if Dalot had been a bit more clinical with his effort late in the first half.
It was a wonderful afternoon at Old Trafford and we must continue this way. 🏻 https://t.co/mUsIdT7bpl
In the 24th round of the Premier League, Fernandes launched 9 important passes and created 3 big chances. He made 5 precise crosses, completed 4 dribbles, won 8 land disputes and 3 fouls. The Portuguese superstar was almost out of action against Leicester on Sunday.
