Man Utd 1- 0 Leicester – By Simon Mack

Manchester United 1 Leicester City 0

14^th September 2019 15:00

Old Trafford

Attendance: 73,454

Referee:  Martin Atkinson

The foxes were dealt their first defeat of the 19/20 Premier League campaign up at Old Trafford as they ran out of ideas to break down the home defence.

The game had been billed by many as the Maguire vs Vardy show, and if that was the case it was the former city defender who left the pitch with the spoils, but the foxes had their chances in this close run game and as the Leicester fans drifted away from the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ they might well have been kicking an empty can or two at what might have been.

The match got underway brightly for united who put Leicester under pressure in a high tempo early phase of the first half. Daniel James’s burst infield on the edge of the box saw Ricardo take him down just outside the area, and Kasper Schmeichel had to be sharp to prevent Andreas Pereira’s free kick from gaining the home side an early lead.

What seemed like seconds after the foxes had their best opportunity of the match when James Maddison found himself centrally in the box as the ball came through he managed to evade Victor Lindelof’s block but his firm drive at the home goal was kept out by the leg of united keeper David De Gea.

The early exchanges continued at a ferocious pace and another united foray into the city box saw Rashford with the ball back to goal when Caglar Soyunchu’s challenge on the England striker was deemed to be a penalty. Rashford picked himself up from the floor to deliver what would be the only goal of the game.

Once united had taken the lead the game seemed to lose some of it’s intensity. The foxes found more of a foothold in the passages of play and united’s rapid tempo and drive seemed to wane.  Despite failing to find that ‘killer pass’ to foxes talisman striker Jamie Vardy a chance did come on the half hour when a city move saw the ball fall to Ben Chilwell on the edge of the box and his volley needed tipping over by De Gea.

As the half time whistle blew it felt like Leicester had managed to build a platform post the united goal to kick on and get something from the match, and the stats showed both more possession and chances on goal for the visiting side during the first 45.

Soon after the break city boss Brendan Rodgers made his intentions clear by withdrawing the foxes tenacious young midfielder Hamza Choudhury for the more attacking Ayonze Perez, and Demari Gray’s shock inclusion in the starting eleven came to an end 10 minutes later as Harvey Barnes joined his city team mates in a further offensive move by Rodgers who was clearly looking to ensure city got something from this match.

But Maguire continued to have the upper hand in the ‘slabhead vs steptoe’ match up, and despite city having a more offensive look the chances created by the visitors were largely from distance or set pieces, and none came to any clear cut chance.

United boss Solskjaer tried to inject some new impetus into his slender lead by introducing Fred and Chong in place of Mata and Matic but it didn’t significantly alter the rhythm of the game and despite the foxes endeavour the midfield just could not find the opening or the killer pass to get their side on level terms.

In the dying moments the foxes heaped on all they could muster and the customary Kasper Schmeichel late foray forward to try and overload a set piece ultimately came to nothing when ‘the chance’ to get level fell to Wilfred Ndidi and his poked drive fell wide of the post.

The foxes had travelled north to face and united side weakened by injury and not the force they once were and there had been genuine optimism for Leicester’s chances not just from fans but from pundits and bookies alike. For city fans this was sadly a match where their side just did not find that rhythm of late, and they didn’t manage to build that period of sustained pressure in the match that may have lead to a killer chance to get something from the game.

Jamie Vardy worked tirelessly and ploughed a workmanlike furrow in his lone attacking berth as always but the foxes didn’t manage to feed him one decent opportunity all afternoon. The Harry Maguire effect you might ask? Well given the England international’s level of understanding of his afternoon foe you might wonder if that extra insight into how city tick may have played a part.

There’s something to be said for Leicester City coming back down the M6 down in the mouth at a narrow victory away at Old Trafford and it’s a testament as to how far the foxes have come that there’s a genuine level of disappointment at not at least getting a point.

This game did point a finger toward the persistence of Brendan Rodgers city ethic and tactics though, and whilst the balance of the team was made more offensive by his substitutions for the last half an hour the system and ethos of what he asks of his Leicester team always remains the same. Is there a case for a more ‘industrial’ or ‘direct’ method of play with the substitutes available on the bench to take it more rough and tumble if he felt it might snatch a point? In options city’s big target man Islam Slimani has scored 3 in 3 matches on loan at Monaco and there are some that might say his intervention in a game such as this might be the ‘Plan B’ that is needed when the midfield can solve the puzzle on the floor.

Simon’s player ratings:

Kasper Schmeichel: 7.5

Great early save denied Pereira and did well to prevent Mata doubling the lead. A captain’s performance once again.

Ricardo Pereira: 6

A bit clumsy for the challenge on James early on and a few inches further along this could have been another penalty. He’s not getting forward as much lately and I’d like to see him higher up in support more often.

Jonny Evans : 7.5

Back on his old stomping ground he was ever reliable, ever vocal in his organisation and passionate in his efforts to get the foxes something from the game.

Caglar Soyuncu: 6

With Rashford heading away from goal felt he didn’t need to go for the challenge on Rashford and concede a penalty at that time. Not the vintage he has delivered recently.

Ben Chilwell: 7

Though he was better today and it’s good to see him finding his form. Was denied with a sharp volley that De Gea had to stretch to put over.

Wilfred Ndidi: 6.5

Some clumsiness here and there but worked hard as always. ‘The chance’ fell to him late on and sadly could only put it wide of the post.

Demarai Gray:  5.5

A surprise inclusion in the starting eleven the lad must have impressed Rodgers in his 20 minute cameo at home to Bournemouth. Sadly failed to produce on the day and was withdrawn by Rodgers just after the hour.

Youri Tielemans : 7

It feels like he has something special to offer and it slowly being unwrapped week by week giving a slightly better glimpse each time the foxes play.

Hamza Choudhury : 6

In there working and his industry can never be questioned.

James Maddison: 8 MOTM

Unlucky not to score early and provided some sublime touches. Always full of energy and invention sadly today couldn’t quite find that ball to put his mukka Vardy through but still at the heart of all that was good about city in this match.

Jamie Vardy: 6

Surprisingly the Vardy vs Maguire hype turned into a non-contest. If Vardy feeds off of service this was a famine today.

Subs: Ayoze Perez (for Choudhury, 57) 6.5: Despite his more offensive capabilities he failed to have the impact Rodgers would have hoped for

Harvey Barnes (for Gray 67) 6.5: Likewise failed to make a key impact on the game after coming on.

Subs not used: Ward, Justin, Morgan, Albrighton, Praet.