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Leicester City 2-2 Manchester United: Vardy ends Red Devils’ winning streak
Bruno Fernandes seemed to have sealed another Manchester United away win, but Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy had other ideas.
Manchester United’s 10-game winning streak away from home in the Premier League came to an end when Leicester City drew 2-2 on Saturday.
United appeared to equal Chelsea and Manchester City’s record of 11 straight wins when Bruno Fernandes put them ahead with 11 minutes remaining after Harvey Barnes canceled Marcus Rashford’s opener.
However, Jamie Vardy secured a share of the loot with five minutes remaining, returning home after a deflection by substitute Axel Tuanzebe, who was later credited with an own goal.
The result means United remain one point behind second-place Leicester and four points behind leaders Liverpool, who play West Brom on Sunday.
Rashford was guilty of a flagrant miss after just 71 seconds, inexplicably heading from six yards after a high cross from Fernandes.
However, the English international made amends in the 23rd minute, coldly scoring his 50th Premier League goal from 12 yards after Fernandes deflected Daniel James’ pass on his way.
Leicester restored parity eight minutes later, Barnes outwitting De Gea from outside the penalty area after Fernandes had given away possession cheaply.
Kasper Schmeichel denied a clean pass from Rashford shortly before the hour, while Anthony Martial saw an effort disallowed for offside as United seemed more likely to score again after the restart.
They went ahead in the 79th minute, Fernandes outscoring Schmeichel after being played by substitute Edinson Cavani, the Uruguayan’s fifth goal from the bench this season, two more than any other player.
However, Vardy had the last word and went home via Tuanzebe after Ayoze Pérez chose him in the area.
What does that mean? Loot shared in low quality matter
United will be disappointed that they did not hold on to maximum points, but a draw was probably a fair result given the marked lack of quality throughout.
Both teams are still well prepared to challenge Liverpool at the summit, although Jurgen Klopp’s team can open up a six-point lead over the Foxes if they beat the Baggies on Sunday.
Fernandes is once again the protagonist of United
Fernandes gave away possession 24 times, the most combined of any player on the field, but the former Sporting CP player continues to make things happen in front of goal. He kicked off Rashford’s first goal and then put United ahead with his 10th goal of the season in the Premier League, becoming the first Portuguese to reach that total since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008-09.
James wastes a rare opportunity
He was rewarded with a fifth Premier League start to the season following his goal against Leeds United last weekend, but James was saddened on the right side of United’s attack. He lost possession 13 times, the most of any United player at the time he was transferred by Paul Pogba in the 54th minute, while winning just one of his 10 games and failing to have a single shot.
Opta key facts
30 – Bruno Fernandes has been directly involved in more than half of Manchester United’s Premier League goals since his debut (30/59), scoring 17 and assisting 13. Fulcrum.
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 26, 2020
– Manchester United are undefeated in their last 14 Premier League away matches (W11 D3), their longest streak since January 2011 (16 matches).
– Leicester City have conceded 191 goals in the top flight against Manchester United; only against Arsenal (206) has he sent more.
– United are the first team to score two or more goals in 11 consecutive away games in the top flight since United did so in March 1959 (13 games).
– Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has failed to win 10 of his 12 Premier League meetings with Man Utd in the Premier League as manager (2 wins, 1 loss, 9 losses).
Whats Next?
United welcomes the Wolves to Old Trafford on Tuesday, while the Foxes have a quick change for their trip to Crystal Palace on Monday.
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