Manchester United hosted the current champions of England, Leicester City in a thrilling encounter at Old Trafford. It was a very important match for United, after the debacle of losing 3 games in a row followed by a much needed victory in the Football League Cup against third-tier outfit Northampton in the past couple of weeks, and Mourinho’s men proved the Einstein’s of football wrong again this week after thrashing Leicester 4-1.
United started laboriously, with the first 20 minutes ensuring that the audience was in for another drab encounter; but Chris Smalling, wearing the captains armband after Rooney was dropped to the bench for the first time since boxing day 2015, scored a header to give United the lead.
United were in total control of the game from then on, with Juan Mata scoring the second and Rashford got his usual goal, adding a third for United, taking his tally to 4 goals in 5 Premier League games. The highlight of the first half was Paul Pogba, the world’s most expensive footballer, scoring his first goal since his transfer back to Old Trafford, out muscling Fuchs to score a header to give United a comfortable 4-0 lead at half time.
Claudio Ranieri admitted that his defense lost their calm, especially while defending set pieces. Leicester star men Jamie Vardy and Mahrez were substituted at half time, apparently to gain enough rest for the clash against Porto this week.
Leicester City were completely different to the side that faced United the last time they met in the Premier League, with the champions who conceded only 36 goals in 38 games last season on their way to lift the Premier League Trophy, became the first defending champions to concede 4 goals in the first half. Gray reduced the deficit by one, and the match ended 4-1 in favour of the home side.
It was an important win for United, with Rooney being dropped to the bench, and the scoreline at half time was indicative of the change it had brought to United’s game. Pogba showed just why United broke the bank to get him back, controlling the midfield and scoring a goal to be named man of the match.
