Six things we learned as Manchester United lose 4-2 against Leicester
Manchester United have lost 3-2 away at Leicester. Mason Greenwood scored the opening goal before Youri Tielemans equalised in the first half.
In a frantic period in the second 45, Caglar Soyuncu put the hosts ahead, Marcus Rashford equalised but United conceded within minutes to a Jamie Vardy half-volley.
Here is a look at six things we learned from the game…
Missing England suited Greenwood
Greenwood’s gametime is being carefully managed and that meant he was once again left out of the England squad by Gareth Southgate.
RONALDO NEEDS TO STOP WHINING.
It meant he was able to work hard at United during the international break and started on the right wing here.
His stunning, swerving left-footed strike proved it was a decision which suited United and Greenwood down to the ground.
It was the kind of pure, powerful finish we have come to expect from Greenwood and he ended the small goalless run he had been on.
Rushing Maguire’s return backfires
Harry Maguire’s return was the surprise team news when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s lineup was announced.
He came into this game on the back of only one day of training and his rustiness was evident throughout the first half.
Maguire thought he had far more time than he did in the lead-up to Tielemans’ stunning goal, losing the ball trying to play out from the back.
He was also the one who played Soyuncu – the man who replaced him at Leicester – onside to put the Foxes in front.
It is also worth considering the message Solskjaer sent to Eric Bailly with his decision, as Maguire played like a man short on fitness and sharpness.
Rashford fit enough for 25 minutes
Marcus Rashford was included in a matchday squad for the first time this season here.
It was not simply a case of giving him a couple of minutes at the end of the game to find his feet again.
Rashford was fit enough to play 25 minutes, coming on for Jadon Sancho as United chased a winner.
Sancho made four key passes from just 38 touches during his time on the pitch, although his wait for a first goal or assist goes on.
Rashford looked sharp enough, and wasted no time getting back on the scoresheet, firing home his only clear opening to make it 2-2.
United too open
United started well but thereafter struggled to exert any real control, looking most dangerous on the counter attack.
Conceding just 15 seconds after Rashford’s equaliser was absolutely criminal and just not the type of thing title contenders do.
It was only when United went 3-2 down that Solskjaer made major alterations, throwing on Jesse Lingard and Scott McTominay.
Martial ruled out
Martial started United’s last game, the 1-1 draw against Everton, where he opened the scoring.
He limped off but went away on France duty, and there was no indication pre-match he would not be involved here.
But he was left out of the squad altogether, as Rashford came onto the bench.
Solskjaer confirmed he came back from international duty injured and it remains to be seen how long he will be out for.
That is frustrating for the Frenchman, who has been unable to build on the momentum of his goal on a shock start against the Toffees.
Unbeaten away run comes to an end
United had gone 29 Premier League games away from home without defeat coming into this one.
That record was always going to end somewhere but it was bad timing going into a really tough run of fixtures.
The performance here will be more concerning for Solskjaer; the way United could not dominate the game and the way the side fell apart after getting back to 2-2.
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