RALF’S RED His pale side need to hide after
IF they are to avoid a mouthful from Gary Neville it’s advisable that Manchester United’s players stay indoors today. The former United star and outspoken pundit let rip at some of the United squad who had been spotted in various parts of the world partying in the aftermath of the Champions League defeat against Atletico Madrid.
Well after this horror show, which lacked tempo and energy, interim boss Ralf Rangnick and his team should bolt the windows and lock the doors and watch a soap.
But not this football soap, which is one of constant underachievement which will cost
United a place in the top four.
Leicester deserved to have won and will claim they were robbed by AVAR decision which cost man-of-the-match James Maddison an 80th-minute winner.
Bruno Fernandes might have just signed a new double his money contract but it came with a caveat – to fill the centre-forward role with United devoid of striking options.
Cristiano Ronaldo was absent with flu-like symptoms, Edinson Cavani picked up an injury on international duty, Mason Greenwood isn’t being considered and Marcus Rashford seems to be off Rangnick’s radar, once again on the bench.
Not the ideal scenario as
United’s interim boss sounded the bugle call in the build up to this game – insisting there can be no slip ups if fourth place is to be secured.
Leicester, on the back of three wins in their last four Premier League games and with former United defender Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana back in harness at the centre of defence for the first time since the FA Cup final, began with a spring in their step.
Harvey Barnes went close with a flicked header from Maddison’s free-kick and twice sent low efforts past David De Gea’s post.
United, looking disjointed, desperately needed some early inspiration and a run from Anthony Elanga, only stopped illegally by Fofana which earned the Leicester man a yellow card, at least brought the home crowd to life.
But it was the Frenchman who set up United’s first big chance with a loose pass intercepted by Fred who instantly released Fernandes into space only for
Kasper Schmeichel’s outstretched left foot to rescue the Foxes.
Leicester, though, carried the greatest danger. Kelechi lheanacho should have done better than slice wide from inside the box while Barnes once again caused problems volleying just wide from
Maddison’s dinked cross.
A smattering of boos came at the half-time whistle, with the Stretford End demanding more.
Cue, in the 54th minute, the introduction of Rashford in an attempt to inject some energy and cohesion in what had been a shambles of a forward line. It allowed Fernandes to revert back to a goal maker rather than looking lost in the false number nine role.
Rangnick had taken off Scott Mctominey who Leicester players felt deserved a red rather than yellow for a stud-led late challenge on Maddison. And it was Maddison who set up a magnificent 62nd-minute goal for his side.
A brilliant tackle by Kiernan Dewsbury-hall halted a Fernandes break, a quick pass down the line to Maddison ended with a delightful cross which saw a header from Iheanacho beat De Gea.
Could United respond? They did within four minutes as Fernandes’s low strike was palmed out by Schmeichel but only for Fred to thump into the roof.
But it needed VAR to rescue United 10 minutes from time after Maddison thought he had struck a deserved winner.
The midfielder who had bossed the game fired home from close range after Iheanacho had won a scramble with Raphaelvarane.
Referee Andre Marriner pointed to the centre spot but was asked by VAR operator Michael Oliver to visit the monitor. He then decided thatvarane had been fouled – and United escaped defeat.