It’s been two pretty solid match-weeks for Mourinho’s men with victories over West Ham United and Swansea City, ringing bells of intent all over England and they exactly tried to stretch on this positive patch when Leicester visited Old Trafford.
Right from the first whistle, the game was headed one way and that was in favour of Manchester United with the home-side dominating possession and hitting the final third time and again. Saves from Kasper Schmeichel and Leicester’s compactness limited United until they struck very late in the second half through a corner which Marcus Rashford converted. Lingard provided the assist for Fellaini later on as the Belgian did enough to score and United sealed a comfortable win and put three points in the bag.
Here’s how the Red Devils have been rated :-
GK – David De Gea – 7/10
A very comfortable evening and all he had to do was catch crosses and distribute the ball around although he had to make one save very late to deny King and keep the perfect beginning to the season and he did it. Another clean-sheet for the Spaniard.
RB: Antonio Valencia – 6/10
Solid defensively but pathetic with his end-product and crossing. It’s hurting United’s chances when such balls are wasted.
CB: Eric Bailly – 8/10
On the top of his game and he hardly put a foot wrong. Never gave Vardy the advantage even once. Outstanding!
CB : Phil Jones – 7.5/10
Cancelled out aerial efforts of Leicester sweetly and made an immaculate challenge on Mahrez just when it looked like the Algerian was darting clear. He has formed a formidable partnership with Bailly and it’s all been smooth sailing so far.
LB: Daley Blind – 6/10
Decent and tidy. Just poor with corners and crossing. Both United’s fullbacks should work on their end product.
CDM: Nemanja Matic – 7/10
Calm and composed as usual. Terrific positioning to win the ball back on most occasions and he’s really good at passing the ball and ensuring that the flow of the game isn’t hampered.
CM: Paul Pogba – 6/10
Came close with his long-rangers but he was a little distanced today by Leicester’s tactic of overloading the midfield.
RM : Juan Mata – 6.5/10
Came really close when he tried to curl the ball around Schmeichel but the keeper matched it with a brilliant save. Was sacrificed in the second half for Marcus Rashford’s entry.
CAM: Henrikh Mkhitariyan – 7/10
Another game and another assist for Mkhitariyan as it was his precise corner that allowed Rashford to break the deadlock. He was challenged really hard in the midfield today with Ndidi man-marking and bearing down on him consistently but overall he fared well.
LM: Anthony Martial – 6/10
Didn’t pose the threat like he did coming on in the last two games and couldn’t impact the proceedings much in the final third.
ST: Romelu Lukaku – 4/10
It was just not the Belgian’s day with a missed penalty and some really poor finishing. Only positive was the hold-up play.
Substitutes:-
RM: Marcus Rashford – 7/10
Converted the corner just minutes after stepping on the pitch and the goal was so important for United. He challenged Leicester fearlessly with dribbles and some dazzling foot-work. Mourinho has used his substitutes well and this was another example.
CM: Marouane Fellaini – 7/10
Won the aerial battles, tried to handle the midfield and got himself a goal after getting into an advanced position.
LM: Jesse Lingard – 6.5/10
Stretched the play and did exactly what the manager wanted.
