Ruud van Nistelrooy celebrating at Old Trafford was a familiar sight for Manchester United fans, but this time it was on the touchline. The Dutchman took charge of an apparently disorientated Manchester United for the first time after the sacking of Erik ten Haag earlier in the week, but his side’s performance suggested otherwise.
The game’s first goal came in the 15th minute after a superb strike from Casemiro, proving only the start of a flood of goals. Leicester did their best to get themselves back into the game, reducing the deficit not once, but twice, but Manchester United proved too tough an opponent in the end. The result sees Leicester knocked out of the Carabao Cup, whilst the Red Devils have put their name in the hat for the quarter-finals.
As it happened
Leicester made nine changes from the team that fell to disappointing defeat against Nottingham Forest, whilst Manchester United put out a relatively strong side. There were a few signs early on that indicated this United side being low on confidence, with particularly Joshua Zirkzee struggling to find his feet, which had been the story of his season.
The score was opened in the 15th minute after a screamer from Casemiro; it was a goal he won’t be forgetting anytime soon. This would only be the start of a hatful of goals in Manchester. It was a wonderfully worked goal from the home side, with Alejandro Garancho’s ball played inside, left by the dummy of Bruno Fernandes and falling to the feet of the defensive midfielder from around 30 yards out. The Brazilian took a touch out of his feet, before a rocket found the far top corner, kissing the crossbar on the way in. Danny Ward stood no chance.
Despite Leicester all but matching Manchester United in the opening stages of the game, there was simply no stopping Casemiro’s effort. It was a goal that injected some intensity and energy into the Red Devils, something the Old Trafford crowd have craved this season, as they searched for a second of the night.
Leicester were carved open just before the half-an-hour mark, with the Foxes defence seeming to be in no-man’s land. Diogo Dalot found himself with space down the right-hand side, with the cross fired home by Garnacho at the back post to give United some breathing room and put themselves in full control of the game.
Embed from Getty ImagesLeicester responded after a tough start at Old Trafford, as Bilal El Khannouss fired his team back into the game. A cross was punched away by Altay Bayındır, but fell only as far as the Morrocan. The summer signing headed it down into his path, before fizzing an effort on the half-volley which hit both posts and trickled over the line to give Cooper’s side a lifeline.
It was turning into a basketball game, with it now Manchester United’s turn to fire back and restore their two goal lead. Bruno Fernandes got off the mark for the season, with his free kick taking a huge deflection off James Justin. The sizeable slice of luck gave Van Nistelrooy’s side a third of the night.
Just three minutes later, the net bulged once again; it was a goal fest at Old Trafford. Not many would have predicted this before the game, with Casemiro grabbing a brace. His initial header struck the post, but the midfielder’s luck was in, as it eventually fell back to him, making no mistake at the second time of asking. He smashed in from close range, scoring the fifth goal of the night. Moments later, he should have completed his hat-trick, with a free header flying agonisingly wide.
Embed from Getty ImagesLeicester’s defence was causing all kinds of problems, with them only having themselves to blame for conceding four going into the break. Cooper’s issue this season seems to lie in the defensive department, which is something he’ll want to address before this weekend and his visit again to Old Trafford in just under a fortnight.
The visitors did pull one back before the interval after some messy defending from Manchester United. A ball deep into the box came off the back of Dalot, dropping to the feet of Conor Coady who was able to slot it in to give Leicester some renewed hope. The goals just kept on coming in one of the most entertaining halves of football this season. Both managers would have looked to have tightened things up going into the second period, but it was clear both had an appetite for goals.
Leicester made a bright start in the second period, looking to build on their two goals already scored and get themselves back into the game. The next goal would be crucial. Justin found himself in some good positions down the right-hand side, with the Foxes looking to exploit a vulnerable Manchester United defence.
A huge error from Caleb Okoli opened the door to Manchester United’s fifth. The centre-back’s miss-judged back-pass was pounced upon by Fernandes, who ball rolled it round Ward before smashing it into the near post with ease. It was a frustrating goal for the visitors to concede after showing some positive signs in the early moments of the half.
Embed from Getty ImagesManchester United began to take control once again, with Amad Diallo’s acrobatic attempt looking to find the top corner, nearly putting Leicester completely out of sight. Boubakary Soumare was also close to finding the back of the net down the other end, with his first time effort tipped onto the bar. It was impossible to predict who would get the next goal in this game, with both sides continuing to create chances.
After the excitement and drama of the seven goals, the game began to die out, with Manchester United managing the game and Leicester potentially looking forwards to the weekend, facing Ipswich Town in what’s an important game for both sides. The result probably reflected a fair outcome of the game, with Manchester United shown to have an edge on Leicester and punish Leicester’s defence capabilities in a more ruthless manner than Cooper’s side could likewise punish United defensive vulnerability.
The lineups
MUN: Bayındır; Dalot, De Ligt, Lindelöf, Martínez; Ugarte, Casemiro; Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho; Zirkzee
LEI: Ward; Justin, Coady, Okoli, Thomas; Skipp, Soumaré; De Cordova-Reid, El Khannouss, McAteer; Ayew
