"We were completely dominant" - Leicester City boss downplays Manchester United performance in 5-2 EFL Cup loss

Leicester City manager Steve Cooper believes his side dominated against Manchester United, despite losing 5-2 in their EFL Cup Round of 16 fixture. The two sides faced each other at Old Trafford on Wednesday, October 30.

Manchester United returned to winning ways under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, just two days after Erik ten Hag's sacking. Both Casemiro (15', 39') and Bruno Fernandes (36', 59') scored an exceptional brace each, while Alejandro Garnacho also netted in the 28th minute. Bilal El Khannouss (33') and Conor Coady (45+3') were on target for the Foxes.

Despite the scoreline, Cooper reckons Manchester United were fortunate to win. Following the game, he said (via United in Focus):

“Anybody that wasn’t here tonight will see the scoreline and think it was a dominant, straightforward, comfortable result for United. But it was everything but that. Okay, it was 5-2, and we conceded five goals. But there were circumstances around each goal. It was a brilliant strike from Casemiro. A really poor linesman’s decision for the second goal.”

He added:

“The third and fourth were ricochets that haven’t gone where we wanted them to go, and we have to take responsibility that we could have done better on that as well. And then a giveaway for the fifth goal. In terms of how the game went, it was typified by the start of the second-half to the fifth goal. We were completely dominant. I don’t think United entered our half and then we give away a goal like we did."

He concluded:

“What we’ve done is hand United too many moments to cause damage. That’s something we have to take responsibility for."

“It’s strange to analyse. We’ll own the result and some of the goals. But in terms of the general game, I looked at some of the guys in the dressing room and thought: ‘You’ve done alright tonight.’ It’s turned into frustration and anger really but we need to turn it into motivation for the weekend.”

Manchester United were statistically the more dominant side on the night, with 56 percent possession. They also landed 23 shots in total with nine on target, creating four big chances with an xG of 2.95. In contrast, Leicester mustered 16 shots in total with seven being on target, garnering a lower xG of 0.94.

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"Unbelievable player" - Diogo Dalot hails Manchester United star for his performance during Leicester City win

Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot has waxed lyrical about Casemiro after he scored a brace in their 5-2 win against Leicester in the EFL Cup. The Brazilian broke the deadlock in the 15th minute, finding the top-right corner from distance with a brilliant strike. He netted from close range later in the first half to score his third goal of the season in 13 appearances across competitions.

The Brazilian has largely struggled to impress this season under Ten Hag. However, he was at the top of his game against Foxes, winning five duels, making four recoveries, and four clearances.

Dalot said (via United in Focus):

“Unbelievable goal. He has that in him, those abilities. And it shows how much he was confident to [shoot] that far from the goal. So I am glad he did. We know that when he is at this level, when he is in his best shape, I think he is an unbelievable player. He can help us a lot. So, today, I think he showed a very fantastic level.”

Manchester United will face Tottenham Hotspur away in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup on December 17.

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Disclaimer: The above stats were taken from FotMob on 1st November 2024 at 12:25 AM IST. They are subject to change as per the platform's prerogative.