Manchester United finally moved up to fifth in the table with a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Leicester City earlier today at the King Power.
In all honesty, it was a game that won’t live long in the memory as both sides toiled at times, with the only flash of real quality coming when United midfielder Paul Pogba played a superb ball over the top, which Marcus Rashford finished in razor-sharp fashion. Here’s how the players rated.
Leicester City
Schmeichel 6
No chance with United’s goal, although his poor distribution put his side under unnecessary pressure on more than one occasion.
Ricardo Pereira 6
The 25-year-old Portugal international has been one of Leicester’s most consistent players this season, but it was his loose pass straight to Pogba that cost his side dear.
Evans 7
Looked calm and composed against his former side. Missed a massive chance late on though, failing to connect with Maguire’s header back across goal.
Maguire 8
Some real moments of quality in both defence and in possession, and was a constant threat from set-pieces as well.
Chilwell 7
Solid if unspectacular shift down the left from the young full-back.
Mendy 6
Work-rate can’t be faulted, but lacks quality on the ball.
Ndidi 7
The young Nigerian once again put in an impressive display against a top-six side, strong in the tackle and tidy in possession.
Gray 5
Unable to affect the game in any way, probably should have been hooked a lot sooner.
Maddison 7
Looked to be best Leicester’s creative heartbeat and best chance of getting back into the game, which made Puel’s decision to take him off around the hour mark all the more bizarre.
Barnes 7
Showed glimpses of ability that suggest he can compete at this level.
Vardy 6
Had a couple of half chances during the second period that he could only hit straight down De Gea’s throat.
Substitutes
Ghezzal 7
Went close with one excellent long range attempt from a free kick.
Okazaki 5
Loads of energy, very little quality.
Iheanacho 5
Looks a shadow of the player that was so impressive during his early days at Man City.
Manchester United
De Gea 7
Made one outstanding save from Ghezzal’s free kick, but apart from that, the Spaniard didn’t really have to work that hard for his clean sheet.
Young 7
Given a decent test by Barnes at times, but as always stuck to his task well and used his experience to great effect as the game went on.
Bailly 7
Recovered from a shaky start to put in a solid display.
Lindelöf 7
Continues to grow in stature, although the Swede is often beaten way too easily in the air.
Shaw 7
Didn’t give Gray a sniff and played in a superb cross from which Rashford really should have scored.
Matic 7
Lost his head a bit early in second-half, but crucially cut out a few Leicester counter attacks during the latter stages.
Herrera 7
Not his best game in recent times, although there can be little doubt United look a better team with the Spaniard in their starting XI.
Pogba 8
Sublime pass to assist Rashford’s goal and a thriving run through the heart of Leicester’s midfield late on was a real standout moment.
Lingard 6
Linked the play well during the opening stages, but faded as the game went on.
Sánchez 3
Poor. Offered absolutely nothing and has clearly lost a yard of pace, constantly cutting back inside and slowing down United’s attacks.
Rashford 8 (MOTM)
Recovered from an early miss to smash home the all-important winning goal. His first touch and finish were out of the very top drawer.
Substitutes
Martial
United immediately looked more dangerous after the Frenchman’s introduction, and he came close to scoring a couple of times.
Lukaku
A mixed bag, some good moments and some worryingly poor moments.
Jones
No brain farts. Well done Phil.
