Ruud van Nistelrooy’s spell as interim Manchester United manager ended with a win on Sunday afternoon as the Red Devils beat Leicester City 3-0 in the Premier League.
Incoming manager Ruben Amorim will take over from a side that have now won three of their last four games, with a strike from Bruno Fernandes and an unfortunate own goal from Victor Kristiansen putting United in a dominant position in the rest
Alejandro Garnacho provided the only moment of quality in a tepid second half, securing all three points for the Red Devils with a superb strike.
How the game developed
United’s recent 5-2 win in the Carabao Cup about a certain that has changed a lot Leicester The team will have fired up an expectant crowd at Old Trafford and the home fans certainly enjoyed what they saw in the 17th minute. An excellent backheel from midweek hero Amad Diallo found skipper Fernandes, who make an accurate effort from the edge of the area to put the hosts ahead.
Even without the injured Jamie Vardy, the visitors looked threatening on the counter-attack. Abdul Fatawu was particularly lively when battling with Diogo Dalot, but it was Wilfed Ndidi who had Leicester’s first clear opening, breaking through the middle and testing the onrushing Andre Onana with a domestic shot.
However, Leicester’s hopes of an equalizer were dashed six minutes before the half-time whistle. A stroke of luck benefited Van Nistelrooy’s side after Noussair Mazraoui’s cross was miscued by Fernandes eight yards out. The ball then bounced off the covering Kristiansen at the far post and flew past Mads Hermansen.
The energetic Amad almost ended the game in first-half stoppage time, weaving past several Leicester defenders before slotting home a goal. Hermansen was powerless for United’s goals in the first half but made a strong save with his outstretched leg to deny the Ivorian a third.
A fairly low-key affair went down a few more notches after half-time. The visitors’ odd foray forward was handled comfortably by United, who themselves took the sting out of proceedings by recycling possession rather than going for the kill.
Jordan Ayew did his best to set up a nervy finish on one of Leicester’s increasingly rare breaks. The Ghanaian turned just inside the United box and unleashed a powerful shot towards Ona’s near post, but the effort was palmed away by the United keeper.
But with their first significant moment of the second half, United provided a late third. Fernandes found substitute Garnacho on the edge of the penalty area and the Argentine cut inside before hitting a superb curler into the far top corner from the edge of the box.
Leicester couldn’t manage a consolation as United grabbed a confidence-boosting straight away win ahead of Amorim’s first game back from the November international break.
GK: Andre Onana – 6/10 – He occasionally forced himself into a direct save, but spent much of the game twiddling his thumbs.
RB: Diogo Dalot – 5/10 – Fatawu had a rough ride, whom he could not handle at all. Caught up ahead of time when Van Nistelrooy was looking to fix the problem.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt – 7/10 – He handled Jordan Ayew relatively well but was rarely forced into action on what was a simple afternoon.
CB: Lisandro Martinez – 7/10 – Victorious in many of his one-on-one duels, but, like his centre-back partner, had little grueling defensive work to complete.
LB: Noussair Mazraoui – 7/10 – A teasing cross forced United’s second and the Moroccan was always a threat on the overlap.
DM: Casemiro – 7/10 – After the Carabao Cup win over Leicester, this was another fine display from the Brazilian. Although unable to repeat his goal-scoring heroics, he protected his back four effectively throughout, albeit at times through a tactical foul.
DM: Manuel Ugarte – 7/10 – He regularly intervened in the engine room to stifle Leicester’s attacks and was confident in possession.
RW: Amad Diallo – 8/10 – Often United’s most promising threat in the final third to build on an exceptional display against PAOK. Set up the opening with a clean strike and was a constant threat down the touchline.
AM: Bruno Fernandes – 8/10 – The goals just kept coming for the reinvigorated United captain, who set his side up for victory with a perfect finish. Involved in the second and third goals, too.
LW: Marcus Rashford – 5/10 – Another disappointing display from the out-of-class England international. Unpolished on the ball and rarely tested James Justin.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund – 5/10 – He barely had a kick and couldn’t win the physical battle with Wout Faes. A disappointing and silent exit.
Substitutes
SUB: Alejandro Garnacho (58′ for Rashford) – 7/10 – Put the game beyond doubt with a brilliant effort that made it 3-0.
SUB: Jonny Evans (58′ for Dalot) – 6/10
SUB: Joshua Zirkzee (75′ for Hojlund) – 6/10
SUB: Christian Eriksen (78′ for Casemiro) – 7/10
Subs not used: Altay Bayindir (GK), Tom Heaton (GK), Victor Lindelof, Mason Mount, Antony.
manager
Ruud van Nistelrooy – 7/10 – Impressive control from his side in his latest foray into the Old Trafford hot seat. He has stabilized the ship ready for the arrival of Amorim.
GK: Mads Hermansen – 6/10 – A second Premier League clean sheet of the season continues to elude him. Helpless by United’s efforts.
RB: James Justin – 5/10 – He kept Rashford quiet for the first hour but allowed Garnacho to break inside too easily as United grabbed a third.
CB: Wout Faes – 6/10 – He won many battles against the ineffective Hojlund and was not responsible for any of United’s strikes.
CB: Jannik Vestergaard – 5/10 – While it wasn’t a dominant display from the tall defender, he put his body on display when required.
LB: Victor Kristiansen – 5/10 – Although he was unlucky to score an own goal, Kristiansen fought his battle with the indefatigable Amad. However, he got better as the game went on.
DM: Boubakary Soumare – 5/10 – A lackluster start from the often overlooked midfielder, who did little to impress his manager in a rare start.
DM: Harry Winks – 6/10 – He screened the back four effectively and aggressively, nibbling on tackles to relieve pressure.
RW: Facundo Good night – 6/10 – He offered a fleeting glimpse of his wit, but failed to deliver a decisive moment.
AM: Wilfed Patience – 5/10 – The most advanced member of Leicester’s midfield and it was the Nigerian who squandered his side’s best moment in the first half. He struggled to influence proceedings after the break.
LW: Abdul Fatou – 7/10 – Easily the most influential member of Leicester’s forward line with his direct running and raw speed. He turned Dalot around on more than one occasion.
ST: Jordan Ayew – 6/10 – Leicester’s super substitute was thrust into the starting line-up when Jamie Vardy failed and was isolated on the ball.
Substitutes
SUB: Bilal El Khanous (70′ for Ndidi) – 6/10
SUB: Kasey McAteer (83′ for Justin) – N/A
SUB: Odsonne Edouard (88′ for Ayew) – N/A
Subs not used: Danny Ward (GK), Conor Coady, Hamza Choudhury, Caleb Okoli, Oliver Skipp, Stephy Mavididi.
manager
Steve Cooper – 5/10 – Not a disgraceful performance from his side at Old Trafford, but largely ineffective. Looked toothless in the final third despite some promising moments.
