WHAT FRESH KEL IS THIS...
Another Old Trafford horror show
IF they want to avoid another mouthful from Gary Neville, Manchester United’s players are advised to 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 last month.
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 opera.
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 a VAR decision which cost man-of-the-match James Maddison an 80th-minute winner here.
Bruno Fernandes might have just signed a new double-hismoney 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 – he was once again on the bench.
Not the ideal scenario as United’s interim boss sounded the bugle call in the build-up – insisting there can be no slip-ups if fourth place is to be secured.
Leicester began with a spring in their step, 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 last year.
Harvey Barnes went close with a flicked header from Maddison’s free-kick and twice sent low efforts past David De Gea’s right hand post.
United looking disjointed, desperately needed some early inspiration. A slalom 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.
It was Fofana who set up United’s first big chance, with his loose pass intercepted by Fred who instantly released Fernandes into space through the middle – only for Kasper Schmeichel’s outstretched left foot to rescue the Foxes.
Leicester carried the greater danger and Kelechi lheanacho should have done better than slice wide from inside the box from a James Justin pull back – while Barnes once again caused problems volleying just wide from Maddison’s dinked
cross. A smattering of boos accompanied the half-time whistle, with the Stretford End demanding more.
Cue the introduction of Rashford on 54 minutes, 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 goalmaker rather than looking lost in the false No.9 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 the visitors.
A brilliant tackle by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall halted a Fernandes break, and a quick pass down the line to Maddison ended with a delightful cross which saw a diving header on the run in the box from Iheanacho to beat De Gea.
Could United respond? Within four minutes Fernandes found space on the edge of the area and his low strike was palmed out by Schmeichel only for Fred to thump it into the net.
But it needed VAR to rescue United 10 minutes from time after Maddison thought he had hit a deserved winner.
The Foxes midfielder – who had bossed the game – fired home from close range after Iheanacho won a scramble with Raphael Varane just inside the area.
Referee Andre Marriner pointed to the centre spot... but was asked by VAR operator Michael Oliver to visit the monitor. He then decided that Varane had been fouled.