Manchester United 1-1 Leicester City: United's Champions League hopes dented by Foxes

2 years ago 21

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Fred celebrates

Manchester United lost more ground in the battle for a Champions League spot as they were held by Leicester at Old Trafford.

The damage could have been even worse for Ralf Rangnick's men as Leicester were denied a potential winner 10 minutes from time when referee Andre Marriner was sent to the screen by the video assistant referee, with Marriner overturning James Maddison's effort for a foul on Raphael Varane in the build-up.

United could count themselves fortunate to get a point.

After a drab opening period, Kelechi Iheanacho scored a superb 63rd-minute opener when he met superb Maddison's left-wing cross with a fine diving header, which sent the ball back into the far corner.

The Foxes' advantage lasted just three minutes, with Brazilian midfielder Fred on hand to convert the rebound after Bruno Fernandes' shot had been pushed into his path by Kasper Schmeichel.

It was a disappointing outcome for the hosts, who are now three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, having played two games more and with a trip to the Gunners, plus encounters with Liverpool and Chelsea, still to come.

Rashford's torment

It says everything about the kind of season Marcus Rashford has had that even with the ill Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood missing this game completely, the England man was only given a seat on the bench.

Rashford's future has been debated long and hard over the last few weeks.

With a contract that is due to expire next year, although there is an option to extend to 2024, a decision over Rashford will be one of the new manager's first tasks when he takes over.

The theory is a proper break, followed by an intense pre-season and a chance to play regularly in his best position, on the left, would correct many of Rashford's problems.

At the moment though, he just needs to deliver. And, asked to occupy the number nine position when he was introduced for the final 35 minutes, Rashford continued to look ill at ease.

Rangnick provided detailed instructions as Rashford waited to come on and then, together with technical director Darren Fletcher, offered more as the game entered its final 20 minutes.

Fleetingly, it looked like Rashford's world would turn. Deep into stoppage time, he picked the ball up just outside the box and drove at the Leicester defence. But just as space opened up to shoot, an offside Anthony Elanga got in his way and the chance was gone.

More to follow.

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Manchester United

Squad number1Player namede Gea
Squad number20Player nameDiogo Dalot
Squad number5Player nameMaguire
Squad number19Player nameVarane
Squad number23Player nameShaw
Squad number39Player nameMcTominay
Squad number17Player nameFred
Squad number36Player nameElanga
Squad number6Player namePogba
Squad number25Player nameSancho
Squad number18Player nameBruno Fernandes

Squad number10Player nameRashford
Squad number27Player nameAlex Telles
Squad number31Player nameMatic

Leicester City

Squad number1Player nameSchmeichel
Squad number2Player nameJustin
Squad number3Player nameFofana
Squad number6Player nameEvans
Squad number27Player nameCastagne
Squad number8Player nameTielemans
Squad number24Player nameMendy
Squad number10Player nameMaddison
Squad number22Player nameDewsbury-Hall
Squad number7Player nameBarnes
Squad number14Player nameIheanacho

Squad number18Player nameAmartey
Squad number20Player nameChoudhury
Squad number29Player nameDaka

Line-ups

Man Utd

Formation 4-2-3-1

1de Gea
20Dalot
5Maguire
19Varane
23ShawBooked at 5minsSubstituted forTellesat 45'minutes
39McTominayBooked at 49minsSubstituted forRashfordat 55'minutes
17Fred
36Elanga
6PogbaSubstituted forMaticat 75'minutes
25Sancho
18Bruno Fernandes

Substitutes

2Lindelöf
4Jones
8Mata
10Rashford
14Lingard
26Henderson
27Telles
29Wan-Bissaka
31Matic

Leicester

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Schmeichel
2Justin
3FofanaBooked at 16mins
6EvansSubstituted forAmarteyat 64'minutes
27Castagne
8TielemansBooked at 30mins
24MendySubstituted forChoudhuryat 90+1'minutes
10Maddison
22Dewsbury-Hall
7Barnes
14IheanachoSubstituted forDakaat 90+2'minutes

Substitutes

4Söyüncü
11Albrighton
17Pérez
18Amartey
20Choudhury
21Ricardo Pereira
29Daka
35Jakupovic
37Lookman

Referee:Andre Marriner

Attendance:73,444

Live Text

Match ends, Manchester United 1, Leicester City 1.
Second Half ends, Manchester United 1, Leicester City 1.
Attempt saved. Harry Maguire (Manchester United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Bruno Fernandes with a cross.
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by James Justin.
Offside, Manchester United. Marcus Rashford tries a through ball, but Anthony Elanga is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Jadon Sancho (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Diogo Dalot with a cross.
Alex Telles (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by James Maddison (Leicester City).
Substitution, Leicester City. Patson Daka replaces Kelechi Iheanacho.
Substitution, Leicester City. Hamza Choudhury replaces Nampalys Mendy because of an injury.
Fred (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by James Justin (Leicester City).
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Daniel Amartey.
Foul by Nemanja Matic (Manchester United).
James Maddison (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt saved. Youri Tielemans (Leicester City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Harvey Barnes.
Attempt missed. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) header from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Alex Telles with a cross.
VAR Decision: No Goal Manchester United 1-1 Leicester City.
GOAL OVERTURNED BY VAR: James Maddison (Leicester City) scores but the goal is ruled out after a VAR review.
Raphaël Varane (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

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