Manchester United vs Leicester City

Robin van Persie scored Manchester United’s opener

Manchester United gained revenge over Leicester City for the way they were embarrassed 5-3 in the same fixture last September. Goals from Van Persie, Falcao and a Morgan own-goal finished the match as a contest in the first half itself.

A late consolation for Leicester from Wasilewski did not make much difference to the final scoreline. This was also the first time United won back to back league matches in 2015. So let us look at how the players performed on the night:

Manchester United

David de Gea – 6/10

With Leicester City hardly coming forward, De Gea had virtually nothing to do other than clearing the ball forward, whenever he got it. He could have done better with the only goal scored by Leicester.

Antonio Valencia – 7/10

He supported United’s frontmen really well by surging forward time and again. He was a constant threat on the right hand side and offered plenty of width for the team.

Phil Jones – 6/10

He was hardly troubled as Leicester barely attacked United on the night. He lost his man for Leicester’s only goal in the match.

Marcos Rojo – 6.5/10

Just like his defensive partner, he was hardly called into action as United had most of the ball. He did his job well when he was called to defend.

Luke Shaw – 7/10

With United having plenty of possession, both full-backs’ primary duty was to attack rather than defend and Shaw offered good width on his side.

Daley Blind – 8/10 (Man of the Match)

He filled Carrick’s boot really well. His distribution was excellent from the back, so were his interceptions to stop Leicester’s attacks. He played a crucial role in the first as well as the third goal the Reds scored.

Wayne Rooney – 7.5/10

Rooney looked settled in his makeshift midfield position. Except for that one mistake in the first half when he mispassed to a Leicester player, Rooney had a very good game and was assured in his passing.

Angel Di Maria- 7/10

Di Maria was lively and his movements up front kept Leicester defenders on their toes. It was from his shot that Falcao scored the team’s second.

Adnan Januzaj – 6.5/10

The Belgian supported the team’s attacks really well. His final ball is somewhat lacking, but other than that he had a decent game.

Robin Van Persie – 8/10

The Dutchman announced his arrival with a well taken goal. He was fortunate not to be called offside, nonetheless his finish was outstanding. He also initiated the move from which United got their second of the night.

Radamel Falcao – 8/10

Just like his strike partner, Falcao would have been relieved to get a goal on the night. It was his fourth in last seven league starts. Against Leicester the Colombian was lively with his usual work rate.

Substitutes

Patrick McNair (68’) – 6/10

With United looking to see out the game in the second half, McNair had more work to do than the United defenders in the first half. He did okay when called upon.

Juan Mata (76’) – 6/10

He helped United keep the ball well in the second half, but did nothing special to impress the manager to win back a place in the starting lineup.

James Wilson (80’) – N/A

Hardly had any time to make an impact.

Substitute Esteban Cambiasso was one of the reasons for an improved second half performance from Leicester

Leicester City

Mark Schwarzer – 6/10

He cannot be blamed for any of United’s goal as the defenders who were in front of him let him down. His handling was otherwise good.

Danny Simpson – 5/10

He defended reasonably well, but hardly supported the team in the attacking third. He however went forward more in the second half to cause some trouble in United’s defence.

Marcin Wasilewski – 7/10

He held his ground well by forming a good partnership with his defensive partner until United scored their opener. He however managed to score a late goal to reduce his team’s deficit.

Wes Morgan – 4/10 (Flop of the match)

The defender scored an own goal just before the break to finish the game as a contest, and struggled to keep United attackers at bay.

Ritchie De Laet – 5/10

The former Manchester United defender found it difficult to hold his ground against the impressive Valencia on his side. He hardly surged forward to support his team.

Jamie Vardy – 4/10

He barely had any impact in the match. He was rightly withdrawn at half time after an anonymous display.

Danny Drinkwater – 5/10

Another former United player who struggled to make an impact in the match. He tried to do different things but nothing worked properly.

Andy King – 5/10

He hardly got involved in the game and was a spectator throughout the match. He tracked back to help his defenders reasonably well.

Jeffrey Schlupp – 5/10

When Rooney gave Schlupp the ball deep inside United’s half he only had Valencia to beat, but he did not make most of the chance and hit the ball way off goal and into the stands. That summed up his game.

Leonardo Ulloa – 5/10

He was left isolated up front as Leicester struggled to retain the ball. Neither did he hold the ball up properly when he was found by his teammates.

Andrej Kramaric – 4/10

He gave the ball away from which Blind picked Van Persie for the opener. He was virtually a spectator as most of the football was played in Leicester’s half.

Substitutes

Esteban Cambiasso (45’) – 6/10

He came on for the ineffectual Vardy at the half time break and held the ball well to retain some amount of possession in the second half.

Marc Albrighton (62’) – 7/10

He did exactly what his manager asked him to do after coming on as a substitute. He set up the only goal for Leicester City and shot narrowly wide minutes later to cause some panic in United’s defence during the end.

David Nugent (62’) – 5/10

The match was already over by the time he came on. And he did little to change the outcome as he was as ineffectual like his other strike partners.