Leicester City defeat Manchester United in six-goal thriller to pile pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Sam Wallace
·20 min read
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba look dejected during the Premier League match at the King Power Stadium, Leicester. - PA
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Visitors to the King Power blow an early lead as hosts dominate
Late goals from Vardy and Daka win it for Leicester who weren't flattered by scoreline
Pressure now on United coach as he sees his side fall to first Premier League away defeat in 29 matches
At the end of the game, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had tried to cajole his players in the direction of the travelling Manchester United support although eventually he went alone in supplication, as a manager who knows that patience is running out.
It was more of a shrug of hopelessness that the United manager essayed than a stand of defiance, and behind him his players were eager to get away as soon as possible. It was not long since Old Trafford was trembling with excitement at the return of Cristiano Ronaldo and yet here he was eager to get off the pitch as quickly as possible, one part of a largely incoherent attack in a team that could not get its act together in the game’s critical stages.
It is too late in the Solskjaer era to say it is still early in the day for him this season. The club have put everything into making a success of this appointment, the fourth since Sir Alex Ferguson walked off the stage. There have been moments when it has looked like progress, but now in the eighth game of the third full season the old problems feel like the new problems once again. A team without an identity that gradually becomes a team without spirit.
United were still in fifth place at the close of play and the early pace set by Manchester City and Liverpool is not unrecoverable. But that has been a hallmark of the Solskjaer regime – just about hanging on. Everything else just did not work. Jadon Sancho looks a long way from the standard. Paul Pogba seems to be in the wrong position. Ronaldo does not look like the game’s greatest current goalscorer. Harry Maguire would have been better off with one more weekend’s recuperation.
The 29-game unbeaten run away from home came to a close for United, but it is telling of the current mood that it hardly registered this time. Just one point from their last three league games. They play Liverpool next weekend after their midweek Champions League home game against Atalanta and perhaps it would be just like Solskjaer to beat Liverpool. It ebbs and it flows, but on days like these you see the true measure of the side.
Ronaldo and his Man Utd team-mates were outplayed by Leicester and struggled to regularly combine well in attack - GETTY IMAGES
Leicester had not won in four league games, and just once in seven games across all competitions. Brendan Rodgers might have been under a degree of pressure himself for the first time at this club and certainly that was the case when Mason Greenwood unleashed a 19th minute rocket with his left foot for the game’s first goal. But there was something steady about Leicester’s approach, through the four goals in 17 minutes at the end of the game including time added on. As the moment came, so they stepped up to the challenge as United recoiled.
The game’s decisive moment came at 2-2 on 82 minutes, a brilliantly executed equaliser from the substitute Marcus Rashford and the match in the balance as the teams lined up for the restart. United seemed to have got themselves in a position that United teams have done for decades, and then within 54 seconds they were behind again never to recover. It was not simply that they lost it from there, to Jamie Vardy’s goal, Leicester’s third of the afternoon, it was that United had done enough to recover only to throw it away again.
Solskjaer’s players did not muster an intervention as Leicester moved the ball down the left from Thomas Castagne to substitute Ayoze Perez and then on to Vardy, the poacher extraordinaire, for the first time hit. These are the moments that change games, and change seasons and it never felt like United had one in them. When another substitute, Patson Daka, scored the fourth at the back post in the first minute of stoppage time, you only had to see how many famous United players had ducked out the way of the cross to know the scope of Solskjaer’s problems.
"We need to look at the whole set-up of the team, the whole balance of the team,” Solskjaer said, “maybe something has to give for it.” It sounds good, but what does it mean? What could he have discovered now that he was unaware of through all the previous false dawns and disappointments?
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - PA
Rodgers’ players seemed to get stronger as sides often do against United once they sense the hesitation. There was something fragile about Maguire all afternoon. From his very first touch it looked as if he was simply trying not to make a mistake and yet make mistakes he did. On 31 minutes he was robbed by Kelechi Iheanacho for the equaliser from Youri Tielemans, the game’s best player. He stroked it first time, up and away from David De Gea to drop sweetly into the far corner of the United goal.
Solskjaer would later say De Gea was his team’s best player and he did make good saves from Tielemans and Daka in the second half but there was something very wrong about this goal. He did not even spring for the ball which suggested he might have been in the wrong position to start with.
Greenwood's goal had been a moment of explosive brilliance, coming in from the right onto a pass rolled gently his way by Bruno Fernandes. The hit was perfect: off the laces of the left foot with about ten per cent slice to send it flat and very fast, away from Kasper Schmeichel. It felt like a turning point but in hindsight it was just a brief moment of United’s great individual talent exerting itself.
By the time Caglar Soyuncu made it 2-1 when a loose ball fell to him via Perez, Leicester had been on top in the second half. United’s equaliser came from a long ball hit by Victor Lindelof over the top to Rashford. And there United seemed to stop. First Vardy, then Daka, the last defining minutes of the game in which United once thrived, passing them by.
04:01 PM
FULL-TIME SCORES
Aston Villa 2-3 Wolves Leicester 4-2 Man Utd Man City 2-0 Burnley Norwich 0-0 Brighton Southampton 1-0 Leeds
03:59 PM
GOOOOOOAAAAAALLL!!! Astonishing comeback for Wolves
Three goals in the last 10 minutes for the visitors at Villa Park and the hosts have no one else to blame but themselves. A Neves free kick from 25 yards out has won it at the death for Wolves who where 2-0 down. Dean Smith looks sick...
03:56 PM
It's all over now and Man Utd have lost
The 4-2 scoreline in no way flatters Leicester who were for the most part dominant at the King Power. Solskjaer looks, understandably, unhappy and once again, you imagine, people will be questioning his position as Man Utd manager.
03:53 PM
GOOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!! It's all over at the King Power
Because Daka has settled matters and it's now Leicester 4-2 Man Utd.
Solskjaer is under HUGE pressure now...
03:50 PM
GOOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!! Wolves equalise
Villa were well on top but sat back at 2-0 up and have paid the price. Conor Coady makes it 2-2 and Villa only have themselves to blame.
03:49 PM
Rashford scores on his return
But will it be in a losing cause?
Rashford
03:46 PM
GOOOOOOAAAALLL!!! Wolves pull one back
Villa are asleep at the back and Romain Saiss gives the visitors hope. It's now Villa 2-1 Wolves
03:44 PM
GOOOOOOOAAAAALLL!!!! Another at the King Power!!
What a game and what a finish from Jamie Vardy!!
It's now 3-2 to Leicester - is their another goal in this classic? Solskjaer will certainly hope so.
03:43 PM
GOOOOOOOAAAAALLL!!! Rashford equalises!
Long ball from Lindelof creates panic in the Leicester defence and the returning star beats Schmeichel one on one.
03:40 PM
GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL! Leicester go 2-1 up!
Disaster for Manchester United but it's exactly what Leicester deserve as Soyuncu makes it 2-1 to the hosts. Daka's shot is blocked and the rebound falls to the defender who makes no mistake.
03:38 PM
Chances galore at the King Power
De Gea makes great save from Tielemans before United counter and look for all the world likely to score but Rashford's pass to Ronaldo isn't the best and Schmeichel makes a simple save.
03:35 PM
James goes close for Leeds
The visitors have been up against it at Southampton but they nearly levelled things at St Mary's. James latches onto an error in the hosts' defence but shoots wide.
03:32 PM
GOOOOOOAAAALLLL!! Villa two up against Wolves
McGinn has been brilliant at Villa Park today and he's doubled the hosts' lead against their Midlands rivals.
03:31 PM
GOOOOOOOAAAALLL!!! City double their lead
It's their main man who's probably put the result beyond doubt - De Bruyne curls in a fine winner and it's hard to see how Burnley get anything out of this now.
03:28 PM
Still 1-0 at the Etihad
City struggled at home to Southampton and while they've dominated against Burnley but haven't found the back of the net since Silva's early strike.
03:27 PM
Chance for Man Utd
Schmeichel saves well to deny Greenwood BUT it wouldn't have counted as he was offside.
03:25 PM
Solskjaer makes a change
Rashford is on for the underwhelming Sancho. Can the returning star give the visitors some much-needed spark?
We thought the opener would usher in a deluge of goals but it's still 1-0 at the Etihad. Mahrez looks almost certain to score with a thunderous shot, but it just clips the crossbar...
03:19 PM
Delight for Danny
Danny Ings heads Villa 1-0 up against Wolves.
Danny Ings
03:18 PM
Chance for Man Utd
Leicester cannot clear the ball, it falls for Matic 30 yards out. The Serbian hits is first-time and watches it go just over the bar.
03:16 PM
Southampton celebrate their deserved opener
Broja
03:14 PM
Leicester still dominating Man Utd
Whatever Solskjaer said at the break isn't (so far) working. The hosts are in control as Maddison's free kick goes well over.
03:12 PM
Villa go ahead
The big summer signing Danny Ings has put the hosts one up over Midlands rivals Wolves.
03:12 PM
GOOOOOAAAALLL!! Southampton go one up against Leeds
Southampton have deserved it.
Redmond plays a perfectly weighted pass that Broja finishes. Though he took a knock from Llorente after he scored and he's now limping.
03:09 PM
Chance for Norwich
Pukki sets up Sargent whose first touch lets him down, he's had two opportunities now and failed to capitalise on either.
03:07 PM
All the matches are back under way
No goals in the second half yet.
03:06 PM
Good start to the second half too from Brighton
They, as with Southampton, dominated the first 45 mins but it's still goalless.
03:05 PM
Back under way at St Mary's
It's started the way it finished with Southampton on the attack BUT with nothing to show for it.
02:51 PM
It's half time in all the 3pm kick offs now, and here are the scores
Aston Villa 0-0 Wolves Leicester 1-1 Man Utd Man City 1-0 Burnley Norwich 0-0 Brighton Southampton 0-0 Leeds
02:50 PM
Half time at the King Power
And what a half it's been. Leicester have looked good and dominated the early and later parts of the first 45 minutes. It's 1-1 and a big team talk coming from Solskjaer.
02:48 PM
It's half time at Southampton
The hosts have been in control but it's still 0-0.
Josh Sargent underhits a shot at what was virtually an open goal that allows the Brighton defence to get back and clear. That would have been against the run of play but will the hosts be left to rue that miss come the final whistle?
02:42 PM
Leicester again dominating
Some great football by Leicester as Tielemans plays a lovely ball to Iheanacho who shoots just wide. It's all Leicester at the moment and Solskjaer needs to change something here.
02:37 PM
Southampton on top against Leeds
Leeds haven't had a shot on goal so far compared to the hosts' 11 attempts. Somehow it's still goalless.
02:36 PM
Still 0-0 at Carrow Road
But Brighton are dominating and Trossard has just missed a good chance.
02:35 PM
No shock as...
...it's nearly all City against Burnley. Mahrez has just blazed over the bar much to Guardiola's chagrin.
02:33 PM
GOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!! All square at the King Power
Tielemans scores from the edge of the box after Iheanacho robbed Maguire of the ball. It was either a fine goal or a bad cross - let's give him the benefit of the doubt.
02:30 PM
It's an open match at the King Power
Maddison and Ricardo set up Vardy who just cannot get on the end of the cross. This is end-to-end stuff, unlikely to remain 1-0.
02:28 PM
Who doesn't love a knee-slide celebration?
Mason Greenwood's goal is something to look forward to when you watch the highlights later on.
Foden's shot is saved well by Pope but Bernardo Silva is quickest to react and the hosts are already ahead...ominous for Burnley.
02:12 PM
Still Leicester on top at the King Power
Tielemans' good cross causes panic in the visitors' box before being cleared, while Vardy's header has also just been dealt with by the United defence. Remember United have only kept one clean sheet all season.
02:09 PM
Brighton have started well at Norwich
But Trossard is down, he goes off the pitch before returning. They'll need him today, such a good, underrated player.
At Southampton both the hosts and Leeds have looked lacklustre.
02:07 PM
All the 3pm kick offs are under way
Leicester have started the brighter of the two at the King Power Stadium but have nothing to show for it so far.
Man Utd are passing it around but without an tempo at all so far. Iheanacho then beats Wan-Bissaka and Maguire before getting the ball in the box but the hosts cannot capitalise.
02:03 PM
Will we see more goalfests as Liverpool served up at Watford?
Let's hope so...
As the 3pm kick-offs get under way here's Jim White's report from Liverpool's 5-0 thrashing of the hosts at Vicarage Road.
It's not tough to say 'yes' just going on the fact that the pressure on Solskjaer is such that three Premier League matches without victory is not a good look. That plus that fact that after today's clash they face a tough run of games - Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester City and Atalanta twice in the Champions League - means Ronaldo and Co will be demanded to get the three points today.
Leicester, too, need the win. They only have eight points from their seven matches so far this campaign and will want to get the victory to push them back into the top half of the table which, considering their finishes of the past two seasons, is the very least they will want.
01:47 PM
And last, but not least, here are how Southampton and Leeds line up
Burnley fans could be forgiven for giving up hope this afternoon
On their past four visits to the Etihad they have lost on each occasion by 5-0...The run stretches back to October 2018.
What are the chances of history repeating itself today? Well, I am no Nostradamus but given the two sides' respective starts this season I'd say the answer to that one is 'pretty high'.
The team news is that Raheem Sterling starts for Pep Guardiola's side with Jack Grealish on the bench. City's Brazilian pair Ederson and Gabriel Jesus featured against Uruguay in South America on Thursday night and so miss out. The USA's Zack Steffen will start in goal for the hosts.
🚨 TEAM NEWS IS IN! 🚨
XI | Steffen, Cancelo, Stones, Ake, Laporte, Rodrigo, De Bruyne (C), Bernardo, Mahrez, Foden, Sterling.
Aston Villa vs Wolves Leicester City vs Man Utd Man City vs Burnley Norwich vs Brighton Southampton vs Leeds
01:25 PM
Rashford starts on the bench
MAN UTD XI TO FACE LEICESTER: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelöf, Maguire, Shaw, Pogba, Matic, Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes, Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo, subs: Bailly, Mata, Rashford, Lingard, Dalot, Henderson, Telles, van de Beek, McTominay
Manchester United in need of a win with Rashford set to return
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is convinced Manchester United have not yet seen the best of Marcus Rashford.
The 24-year-old forward could make his first appearance of the season in Saturday's Premier League game at Leicester after recovering from shoulder surgery.
Rashford, who went under the knife in August following England's penalty shoot-out defeat by Italy in the Euro 2020 final, will be included in United's squad.
Solskjaer said: "I know we'll see the best of Marcus in the years to come.
"He's done remarkable things at a young age and he's now coming into his best age for a footballer.
"He's learning. He's getting more and more experience. He's had time to reflect on what he's done off the pitch as well, because he's done some fantastic things, and now maybe prioritise his football and focus on football."
Rashford, who became an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in 2020 for his free school meals campaign, was dogged by the injury during the latter part of last season.
Marcus Rashford is set to return for Man Utd today - GETTY IMAGES
It affected his movement and training, but he still made 57 appearances in all competitions for United, scoring 21 goals and making 15 assists.
"He's got a challenge on his hands here at Man United and a challenge to play for England and I think Marcus is one of those who takes up those challenges," Solskjaer said.
"He's going to express himself and his talent and he knows we want a lot from him, but also we'll give him the time to get back to what he was and what he can be."
Rashford, who scored twice on his United debut as an 18-year-old against Midtjylland in the Europa League in 2016, will embark on his seventh Premier League season.
"He does look fresh," Solskjaer said. "He looks keen, he looks fit. He's bulked up a little bit, some muscle.
"Of course, he had to bear a lot of responsibility for us because we had injuries and different players out and at such a young age he's done so much for the team.
"He's done so much off the pitch as well and I think that time away for him was time for him to focus on himself."
Since Rashford's last appearance for United - in their Europa League final penalty shoot-out defeat to Villarreal in May - Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane have been added to the squad.
"For us now, he comes back into a different team," Solskjaer added. "He's got Jadon here, Mason (Greenwood) has grown, Cristiano is here.
"I want to see that nice smile and enthusiasm he's shown so many times and if he comes on, if he starts, just enjoy yourself and express yourself.
"That's what Man United players do and that's what we want."
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