United’s perfect start continues after Mourinho sends his subs on Fox hunt
Manchester United had subs Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini to thank for a third win in three Premier League games – and top spot in the table.
Both players, who notched a goal apiece, had come on during the second half of what was a hard-fought win for the Old Trafford outfit, who also missed a penalty eight minutes into the second hal f, taken by Romelu Lukaku and saved by Foxes No.1 Kasper Schmeichel.
United have now scored 10 goals in three their games without reply but it took until the 70th minute for them to go ahead through Rashford. Fellaini added the second 12 minutes later.
Boss Jose Mourinho said: “Last season we had too many draws at home. The difference is the quality of our football.
“The result was open at 0- 0 and it was difficult. The blue wall was well organised and I always give credit to that but we kept calm and kept control.
“After missing the penalty the team remained confident and we deserved it.”
Asked about the impact of his subs the United boss added: “If I don’t have them on the bench I can’t make successful changes. The players work hard and those not playing are also working hard and waiting for their chance.”
United thought they had gone ahead in the 28th minute when Lukaku’s shot was saved by Schmeichel and Juan Mata stuck the rebound away only to be denied by an offside flag.
Paul Pogba then steered wide
from an Anthony Martial cross but there was no first- half breakthrough.
The hosts were awarded a spot kick in the 53rd minute when Martial’s cross hit Danny Simpson’s arm at close range. Lukaku stepped up but was denied by Schmeichel who leapt to his right to parry it behind.
Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez then fired two efforts across United’s goal before Mourinho turned to Rashford in the 67th minute and three minutes later he got the opener following a Henrikh Mkhitaryan corner, his effort finding the net via Schmeichel’s push.
Fellaini wrapped it up with eight minutes to go. Another sub, Jesse Lingard, looked to be going for goal with a shot that the Belgian diverted home.
Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare said: “We frustrated them for long spells but with the form they are in, and with the game being at Old Trafford, they’ll have big moments.
“Set pieces are our Achilles heel at the moment. We need to organise ourselves better.”