SUPER-SUB RASHFORD KEEPS RED TIDE FLOWING
Spot of misery for Lukaku but Jose’s subs on the mark to lift battling United
PREMIER LEAGUE leaders Manchester United maintained their 100 per cent record after substitutes Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini helped to spare the blushes of Romelu Lukaku, who missed a penalty.
United were frustrated when Lukaku’s spot-kick was brilliantly kept out by Kasper Schmeichel early in the second half.
But 19- year- old Rashford connected with Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s corner on 70 minutes shortly after being sent on to replace Juan Mata. And Fellaini, another switch by Jose Mourinho, sealed the points when he got a touch to Jesse Lingard’s cross-shot with the outside of his right knee.
The result means United have won their first three matches — just as they did last season. This time, however, they have a far meaner look about them and still have not conceded a goal.
Among t he 75,000 f ans who enjoyed the final outcome was multiple Olympic sprint champion and United fan, Usain Bolt.
The home side were in particularly buoyant mood having put eight goals past West Ham and Swansea in their opening two fixtures and within 30 seconds the Stretford End were already up to acclaim the first goal, until Wes Morgan made a brilliant diving block to keep out Mkhitaryan.
Leicester were a step up on anything United had faced in the current campaign and t heir new England call-up, Harry Maguire, showed early adventure by progressing into the United half before Matty James rolled a shot from 30 yards past David de Gea’s far post.
James, a former United trainee, signed a new four-year contract at Leicester on Saturday morning after recovering from a horrendous time with injuries which caused him to miss the entire Premier League title-winning season.
Mourinho, in a smart charcoal grey suit, cut a very contrasting figure on the touchline to the tracksuited Craig Shakespeare. The United manager seems a much happier soul than a few months ago. His gestures on the touchline were encouraging rather than accusing. Maybe Paul Pogba took it all a bit too relaxed. The Frenchman has had an outstanding start to the season, no longer burdened by being the world’s most expensive player. But twice he dwelt on the ball and had it nicked off him by Leicester’s bundle of energy, Shinji Okazaki.
United had the ball in Leicester’s net after 20 minutes when Schmeichel, son of United great Peter, spilled a Lukaku shot and Juan Mata poached the rebound. Their joy was shortlived when the Spaniard was flagged for offside and replays showed it was marginal.
It sparked United into playing some good football. Anthony Martial’s clip to the far post was knocked wide by Pogba at full stretch. Mata’s shot was then beaten away by Schmeichel, whose agile leap was completed when he managed to get an outstretched hand on the ball. Pogba’s power shot from long range flashed wide with Schmeichel beaten.
Last season, United beat Leicester 4-1 after Mourinho had dropped Wayne Rooney for the first time. In terms of goals, Saturday’s start was slower than that particular match, but the tempo of play was sharper.
The difference is Leicester, who were defending champions on their last visit to Old Trafford, are in much better shape themselves these days, the gamble on replacing Claudio Ranieri with Shakespeare now looking a good call.
Okazaki’s first- time lay- off to Jamie Vardy, who snapped an instant shot wide, was reminiscent of their glorious 2015- 16 peak. Mourinho’s team of giants con- tained so many six-footers that Phil Jones wasn’t required to go up for corners. Pogba, the tallest of them all, fired in two more shots at Schmeichel, one parried away and another one wide. He then had a free-kick blocked by the wall.
The first signs of frustration were heard early in the second period when a lay- off by Lukaku went straight to James.
That was nothing compared to what happened after 53 minutes. Just moments after Mata’s penalty appeal against Christian Fuchs for handball was turned down, Martial’s centre was blocked by the outstretched arm of Danny Simpson and referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot. Lukaku’s penalty was struck firmly to Schmeichel’s right,
but it was at a good height for the he goalkeeper to reach with anotherr flying dive.
Relieved, Leicester made a rare move up into the United penalty area, Riyad Mahrez dribbling past Jones before firing against the legs of De Gea.
Shakespeare made a double e substitution on the hour, sendingg on Demarai Gray and Andy King, to keep his side’s energy levels up. Though they continued to allow United to dominate possession, soaking up pressure is the Foxes’ tried and tested way.
Midway through the half, Mourinho made his first change in bringing on the raw pace of Rashford for Mata. He was fortunate United weren’t a goal down by that stage with Mahrez turning Daley Blind in inside-out before firing across g goal with Vardy unable to get a t touch. Within two minutes, Rashford h had scored for the first time in t he Premier League si nce April. Mkhitaryan’s corner to the near post found its way to the unma unmarked forward after Pogba had eased a Leicester defender out of the way. Rashford’s connection took the ball into the ground and then up past Schmeichel, even though the goalkeeper got his gloves to it. United’s second goal arrived after 82 minutes when Lingard curled a cross-shot towards the six-yard box and Fellaini got a vital touch to wrong-foot Schmeichel.