Jamie Vardy and Youri Tielemans were imperious but Harry Maguire left a lot to be desired as Leicester City beat Manchester United 4-2 on Saturday.
Leicester City were the stronger of the two sides in the early exchanges, producing the better of the openings initially. However, it was Manchester United who broke the deadlock against the run of play, as Mason Greenwood produced a brilliant long range screamer that Kasper Schmeichel had no reply for.
There were a few half chances for Manchester United thereafter, but Leicester largely looked in control, although they did need a stroke of luck to get back on level terms, as Harry Maguire took ages to get to David de Gea’s pass before it was intercepted by Kelechi Iheanacho. The Leicester striker then found Youri Tielemans, whose delicate chip ghosted into the net.
The hosts ended the first half just as they had started, although post the interval, the blows were traded evenly by the two sides. Both teams appeared a tad bit tentative at times before the deadlock was broken yet again in the 78th minute, as Caglar Soyuncu scored through a melee after the ball fell kindly to him.
Shortly after, though, Manchester United were back on level terms, as Victor Lindelof bypassed the Leicester defence with a long pass towards Marcus Rashford, who scored from close range. But the Foxes had the last laugh as two goals in quick succession completed their comeback, rounding off a 4-2 win. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over both the sets of players.
Leicester City
Kasper Schmeichel: 6/10
Coming off the back of a memorable international break, Schmeichel was understandably bullish in his demeanour on the pitch. However, the Leicester captain had no reply for Mason Greenwood’s screaming effort or Marcus Rashford’s close range finish. Did make a couple of solid stops, though, which would eventually prove to be crucial.
Daniel Amartey: 6/10
One could have said ahead of the game that Amartey would be the weak link in the Leicester back-line. However, for the most part, the Ghanaian held his own, although he was at fault when Rashford made it 2-2 late on.
Jonny Evans: 7/10
Passed fit to start, Evans was a crucial cog in ensuring Leicester City shut off Manchester United in and around their box. Kept a check on Cristiano Ronaldo superbly and won each of the four duels he contested. What a performance by the former Manchester United defender.
Caglar Soyuncu: 7/10
An improved performance from what has been the norm for Soyuncu this season. While he ought to have done better to close down the space for Greenwood, the Turk did well enough to keep the young forward quiet for the rest of the game. Reacted well when the ball fell to him for his goal.
Ricardo Pereira: 6/10
A marauding presence on the right flank, Ricardo Pereira gave some problems to the usually reliable Luke Shaw. Did not create any chances, though, with Leicester largely directing play through the central areas.
Boubakary Soumare: 7/10
This was Soumare’s chance to impress, with Wilfred Ndidi still on the sidelines. And that is exactly what the summer signing did, as he was solid in the middle of the park and hardly lost the ball cheaply. His presence in midfield allowed Youri Tielemans to express himself better.
Youri Tielemans: 8/10
Youri Tielemans’ game by numbers vs. Man Utd:
91% pass accuracy
91 touches
7 crosses
5 duels won
4 shots
3 chances created
3 take-ons completed
2 shots on target
1 goalHe was superb today. ? pic.twitter.com/UOKqu4Tr2e
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 16, 2021
After a torrid international break, Tielemans is back to his best. While the finish for his goal was simply sumptuous, it was the way in which he helped Leicester assert control over Manchester United, even when off the ball, that made him a standout performer.
Timothy Castagne: 6/10
A game of hits and misses, Castagne had some nervy moments up against Greenwood but put Aaron Wan-Bissaka under enormous pressure, which was ultimately telling while pressing higher up the pitch.
James Maddison: 6/10
Reprising the no. 10 role behind the two strikers, Maddison did not carve out too many openings in open play but did work incredibly hard to rob Manchester United off the ball higher up the pitch on quite a few occasions. Take off for Ayoze Perez.
Kelechi Iheanacho: 7/10
Iheanacho has had the tendency to make his opportunities count in 2021 and that is exactly what he did on Saturday as well. Showed tremendous awareness to rob Harry Maguire off the ball before Tielemans scored Leicester’s first. Always looked one of the most dangerous players for the hosts.
Jamie Vardy: 8/10
Jamie Vardy has now scored 5+ Premier League goals against five of the ‘Big Six’ sides:
⚽ 11 vs Arsenal
⚽ 8 vs Man City
⚽ 8 vs Liverpool
⚽ 8 vs Spurs
⚽ 5 vs Man UtdHe just needs two against Chelsea to complete the set. ? pic.twitter.com/iwILbhFi0M
— William Hill (@WilliamHill) October 16, 2021
His goal might have only come late in the game, but Vardy was instrumental in ensuring that Manchester United never really looked settled even when they had spells of possession. Rewarded for his efforts with a superb goal.
SUBSTITUTES
Ayoze Perez: 7/10
Introduced to bring more directness into Leicester’s play, and such an outlook did make a difference as Perez provided two assists for the goals that Soyuncu and Vardy scored. Job well done.
Patson Daka: 7/10
Daka finally came to the fore in the Premier League, although he would count himself fortunate to have been left in acres of space before he scored. Well positioned, nonetheless.
Patson Daka is the first Zambian player in the competition's history to score a Premier League goal.
Trailblazer. ?? pic.twitter.com/PRSBoWjLsX
— William Hill (@WilliamHill) October 16, 2021
Jannik Vestergaard: N/A
A late introduction, Vestergaard helped see the game out.
Manchester United
David de Gea: 6/10
There really was nothing that de Gea could have done for any of the four goals that Leicester scored after being left stranded by the defenders. Can take some of the blame for a tame pass towards Harry Maguire, but that goal was largely down to the Manchester United captain. Made a brilliant stop to deny Youri Tielemans a second.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 5/10
Wan-Bissaka has been under the scanner early in the season and this was another performance where he left a fair bit to be desired. Troubled a fair bit by Timothy Castagne and the late on, he left Patson Daka with more than enough space to score. Has to do better.
Victor Lindelof: 6/10
Lindelof, like every other Manchester United defender, was off the boil at the back, with Jamie Vardy, in particular, giving him some problems. However, his assist for Marcus Rashford bumps up his rating slightly.
Harry Maguire: 4/10
A surprise starter, considering Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s comments in the pre-match press conference and it was clear that Maguire was not fully fit. Constantly found wanting for pace and directly at fault for the first goal scored by Leicester. Also culpable for leaving Caglar Soyuncu open.
? – Maguire not sharp enough which lead to dispossession, and eventually Leicester’s equalizer. pic.twitter.com/PvWEH7935b
— ??? ???? ? (@TheEuropeanLad) October 16, 2021
Luke Shaw: 5/10
Usually so reliable, Shaw produced a rather poor display by the standards he has set lately. Caught out of position on a number of occasions, it his poor positioning that also heaped the pressure on Harry Maguire at times. Hardy posed a threat down the left flank either.
Nemanja Matic: 5/10
Another surprise starter, Matic’s selection would come back to haunt Solskjaer, as the veteran Serb just could not get to grips with Leicester’s relentless pressing and express counters. The Foxes played all around him during his stay on the pitch.
Paul Pogba: 5/10
Coming off the back of a memorable international break, Pogba ought to have been buzzing. But he just could not get going here, struggling to carve out the openings as he so often does. Somehow just does not fit in a deeper role at Manchester United.
Mason Greenwood: 7/10
One of the few Manchester United players who can hold their heads up high. Greenwood never stopped trying even if his efforts did not always come off. However, the effort to score the opener was nothing short of brilliant.
Most Premier League goals by players aged 21 or under since Mason Greenwood made his debut:
? Mason Greenwood [21]
? Phil Foden [16]
? Ferran Torres [9]What a hit! ? pic.twitter.com/UdsvBboODO
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) October 16, 2021
Bruno Fernandes: 6/10
Bruno Fernandes just seems to have gone off the boil lately. While he can never be faulted for a lack of effort, he just has not been able to produce the chances of late and was once again in and out of the game. One or two passes still stood out, but he needs to do more.
Jadon Sancho: 5/10
Sancho provided an energetic presence on the left flank but he seldom looked like he was going to create a chance. Just not clicking at the moment and Solskjaer will be desperate for him to get settled quickly.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 5/10
A game to forget for Ronaldo, who was unable to put the Leicester defenders under any sort of pressure. While he never really presses the opposition defenders, his trademark movement was nowhere to be seen as well. Has to do better.
SUBSTITUTES
Marcus Rashford: 7/10
On for Sancho, Rashford took some time to get going but showed good movement to ghost past Daniel Amartey and score Manchester United’s second.
In his first game since the Euro 2020 final, @MarcusRashford scores a BIG goal for United ? pic.twitter.com/0nPdEemRIh
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 16, 2021
Scott McTominay: N/A
On for Matic, McTominay struggled to get settled in the game and was blown away by Leicester.
Jesse Lingard: N/A
Did not get enough time to make an impact, with his efforts being directed straight at Kasper Schmeichel.
