Rashford keeps his cool to end Red Devils’ penalty curse
mancHester united 1
Rashford (8, pen)
leicester city 0
Marcus Rashford got Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s injury-hit side back to winning ways as Leicester’s unbeaten start came to an end.
A number of onlookers made the Foxes favourites for their Old Trafford reunion with Harry Maguire, given the way Brendan Rodgers’ side have impressed so far this season.
United have dropped points and that form was compounded by injury issues, but the world’s most expensive defender helped his new employers keep a rare clean sheet on an afternoon when Rashford’s early penalty proved enough to secure victory.
Maguire got a hard time from the Leicester fans, who coined a song belittling their former hero while singing the praises of Caglar Soyuncu – a man who may have stepped up admirably this term, but cost his side in the north west.
The Leicester defender caught Rashford in the box and the United forward dusted himself down, before sending Kasper Schmeichel the wrong way with his spot kick.
It was a cool finish that helped atone for his penalty miss in the loss against Crystal Palace and his much-debated discussion with Paul Pogba before the World Cup winner’s spot-kick attempt was saved in the draw at Wolves.
The hosts looked assured after the opener and Scott McTominay was impressing in midfield, with Aaron WanBissaka, available after a back issue, looking bright down
the right with Pereira. Ben Chilwell, rattled by an earlier McTominay tackle, forced De Gea into a fine save as Leicester belatedly settled and the left-back hit a volleyed effort from the edge of the box that was tipped over the bar.
United held firm as the Foxes probed without seriously threatening before a half-time break that Solskjaer’s side returned from with renewed intent.
Daniel James fizzed just over as he went close to joining his manager as the only United players to have scored in their first three Premier League appearances at Old Trafford, before Juan Mata and Pereira had attempts saved.
Maguire elicited a huge cheer from the home fans after dispossessing Demarai Gray and bursting forward, and the Leicester old boy saw a header saved after Maddison whistled a free-kick just past a post.
Fred and Tahith Chong looked hungry after their introduction and James was irritated that he was unable to follow their hard work with a better shot.
Rashford struck the crossbar with a superb free-kick from nigh on 30 yards as United pushed for another, knowing that Leicester tend to finish games on top.
Rodgers’ side did indeed push for a late leveller and Wilfred Ndidi went close, firing a volleyed shot just wide of the near post with De Gea beaten.