It seems ten Hag may be able to get something out of these players after all. Manchester United have won their third straight Premier League game, a feat they have failed to accomplish since December 2021, as they have beaten Leicester City 1-0.
This game really was a tale of two halves. Manchester United were absolutely dominate in the first 45′, playing Leicester off the park with ease. United were brilliant in that half as Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, and Scott McTominay (I can’t believe I’m saying this about him) played through Leicester’s midfield like a hot knife through butter.
I’ve never seen such a masterful midfield performance from a United side since the final days of Sir Alex Fergueson. It was that good.
And it got even better when Jadon Sancho capped off a deadly counterattack on the 23′. The whole break came off a routine clearance from Leicester’s new starting goalkeeper, Danny Ward, as he thumped the ball to the midfield, where Diogo Dalot calmly took it out of the air and controlled it.
For some unexplained reason the entire left-hand side of Leicester’s team converged on Dalot, leaving a wide-open Bruno Fernandes behind them. Dalot simply lofted the ball over the three oncoming Leicester players to Fernandes, who in turn drove the ball into the Leicester box then slid it across to Marcus Rashford, who then squared it to Sancho, and he rounded the keeper to score the first (and only) goal of the game.
It was a great counterattacking goal, but Leicester should have stopped it way before Bruno, Rashford, and Sancho were able to rush at their last two defenders on a 3 vs. 2. Leicester is really struggling right now, and these are the kinds of goals struggling teams give up.
Anyways, Christian Eriksen had a few more half-chances, but the half finished with United in full control. That was by far the most enjoyable half of football I’ve seen United play all season long.
But, like I said, this was a game of two halves. And it was Leicester’s turn to take the game to United in the second half.
I don’t know what the second half possession stats were (all I know is that the game finished 54%-46% in favor of Leicester), but the Foxes must have had 55-60% of the ball during the final 45 minutes. It really was a stark turnaround to their first 45 minutes performance.
I’m not sure whether it was Brendan Rodgers’ halftime team talk, or the fact these players realized they would be bottom of the Premier League if they didn’t pick up a point, but Leicester stopped backing off and started sending waves and waves of attacks against Untied’s backline in the opening 20 or so minutes of the second half.
Yet, even as I write Leicester’s newfound attacking impotence, they really didn’t test David de Gea’s net apart from a magnificent James Madison free kick that de Gea had to fully stretch to keep out. I think Leicester’s struggles were down to a combination of Leicester’s’ attacking line having zero confidence in themselves, while also the United backline playing outstanding football.
You would never have though that this United defense gave up a goal to Brentford, let alone four, three weeks ago the way they are playing now. Dalot, Martinez, Varane, and Malacia are a LEGIT Top-4 contending defense, and all four of those players were my “man of the match” today.
The game kind of petered out after the 70′ mark as United dug in by bringing on Casemiro (who was outstanding and needs to start the next match), and Leicester really gave up hope of being able to draw level. Cristiano Ronaldo had a few chances (and one magnificent scissor kick that would have been a goal of the season contender if it went in) after he came on, but that was pretty much it for the rest of the match.
I don’t know why Erik ten Hag has benched Ronaldo these past three Premier League games as, even though United have won, I don’t think their attack looks as dangerous as it does with Ronaldo on the field. Sure, he may not be able to press as well as Rashford, Sancho, or Elanga can, but he can certainty score goals. Lots of them.
As for Leicester, they need to wake up and get on a winning run soon, or risk a relegation battle this season. The Premier League is going to be EXTREMELY competitive down the bottom of the table as I could see a case for ten teams to be relegated. Yet, I don’t say that because they will be bad, rather I think the teams will be so good it will be a bloodbath determining who stays up and who goes down.
And that bloodbath could see Leicester City get relegated if they are not careful.
If it was up to me, I’d sack Brendan Rodgers. He’s clearly not mentally ready for the battle Leicester will face this season (just watch his post and pre-match press conferences today if you don’t believe me), which will demoralize the Foxes’ players. It’s in the best interest of the club to let Rodgers go, or risk relegation.
Nevertheless, going back to Ronaldo, maybe he’ll get his chance to start against the surprising league leaders Arsenal this Sunday. As a United fan, I hope he does.
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