[ad_1]
Manchester United were unable to extend their winning streak away from home on Saturday when they drew 2-2 with Leicester City.
The Reds led twice through Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes, but the Foxes fell behind both times.
This is what the national media did from the entertaining encounter.
‘Served a gift’
“The day after Christmas is famous for turkey sandwiches and Premier League football, and the opening match of the holiday calendar was a pleasure,” wrote the BBC’s Mantej Mann.
“Both coaches recognized the threat of a counter attack from their opponents before the game, and it wasn’t long before the first opportunity came.
Video not available
“Rashford should have given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United the lead in the second minute when Fernandes threw the ball into the back post, but the unmarked English forward headed wastefully over the bar.
“Just a minute later, the Foxes dove over the other end and the impressive James Justin fired a fierce cross for Vardy, but Victor Lindelof was able to clear the danger.
“That theme continued for the remainder of the contest, as the teams that started on the second and third day on the table eventually canceled each other.
“Hosts Brendan Rodgers had a little more possession, but United, who have the best away record in the division, managed to produce one more shot.”
‘Leicester deserved luck’
The Guardian’s Paul Doyle wrote: “Manchester United led twice but ultimately failed to win a league game away from home for the first time this season as the unfortunate Axel Tuanzebe deflected a shot from Jamie Vardy at his own goal to five minutes from the end.
Leicester deserved that luck and a point from an entertaining match in which both teams showed the qualities, and the shortcomings, that account for their positions. The teams that started the day in second and third place in the Premier League gave a result and performances to satisfy the leaders, Liverpool.
“Marcus Rashford had put United on track for their 11th straight league away win, but Harvey Barnes quickly leveled for the hosts before United standout Bruno Fernandes put his team 2-1 up, a advantage that they did not hold for long.
“With Scott McTominay and Fred in front of the back four, United left little room for James Maddison to pull the strings for Leicester without defending as deeply as visitors like West Ham and Everton did when they won at the King Power earlier in the season. United were more enterprising than those teams, but were not particularly resourceful in possession, with Fernandes an exception as usual.
“United’s first goal in the 23rd minute was a microcosm of the Portuguese’s career so far at the club where he often has to excel to overcome the mediocrity around him. A shoddy pass from Dan James forced Fernandes to stretch only to get a touch of the ball on the edge of the box, and his improvisation deflected the home defense and became an ideal assist for Rashford, who swept the ball into the bottom corner from 10 yards.
Fernandes was at fault, however, when Leicester drew eight minutes later. Wilfred Ndidi ambushed him midway inside the United half and unloaded Maddison, who helped Barnes get the ball into the net from the edge of the box. David de Gea in his prime probably would have kicked the shot, but the goalkeeper, who had needed Eric Bailly to rescue him earlier after a failed attempt to get out from behind, showed no signs of world-class reflexes when Barnes’s shot buzzed. a few meters to your right and within the network.
(Image: Getty)
“With 15 minutes to go, Solskjær seized his bench with decisive effect, replacing Anthony Martial with Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan soon showed his cunning, dropping deep to accept a pass from Bailly before turning and passing the ball to Fernandes, that broke into the space left vacant by the forward and finished off flatly.
“Brendan Rodgers responded by making his first substitution of the game and that, too, quickly paid off, as newcomer Ayoze Pérez traded passes with James Justin on the right before crossing for Vardy, who had made a canny run for find space in the area and then enjoyed a slice of good luck when his shot, which had gone wide, hit Tuanzebe to be deflected to the net. “
‘The center forwards are decisive’
“In the end, it was the old-fashioned center forwards, players with miles on the clock, who were decisive.” wrote Rob Draper of the Daily Mail.
“Edinson Cavani and Jamie Vardy are 33 years old. They have been to this track several times before. Their smart physiques, their off-the-ball runs and their instincts speak of old heads, which are not easily eliminated. And in a thoroughly entertaining match of equals in the Premier League, both would make their mark.
Video not available
“For Vardy it would be in the way he walked away from Eric Bailly in the 85th minute to make sure Leicester got the point they deserved. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who knows a thing or two about late interventions in crucial matches, was excited for praise his movement as he moved to find himself at the end of an Ayore Pérez cross as the clock ticked.
“Solskjaer also knows what it’s like to come off the bench and have an impact for United. That was precisely what Cavani accomplished. After 75 minutes in which Anthony Martial had lacked authority as a center forward, Cavani came in to show how to dominate from that position.
“Following his performance in which he won the game against Everton on Wednesday, Cavani is beginning to recover after a period of adjustment and injury.
“It wasn’t just the old bosses though. 23-year-old Marcus Rashford could have had a hat-trick, his header in the first two minutes a particularly glaring failure. But he redeemed himself in the 23rd minute, with a clinical finish to score his 50th Premier League goal for the club.
“Then there was Harvey Barnes, also 23, and surely ready to team up with Rashford more often on international serve, probably with goal selection, an impressive shot from 20 yards after Fernandes fumbled to Wilfred. Ndidi.
“It would be rude to insist on that for Fernandes, however his record since joining the club last January is phenomenal. Once again here he was United’s best player with his goal, assist and authority in all aspects. He must qualify. as one of United’s best signings.
“Paul Pogba made his entrance in the 53rd minute and overall improved his pace without standing out.
Manchester United were frustrated after a late draw denied them victory at Leicester at the early start of Boxing Day.
United took the lead twice with goals from Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes, but a late goal from Jamie Vardy meant the game ended 2-2, meaning the Reds missed their chance to overtake the Foxes and take second. place in the Premier League table.
United don’t have to wait too long to get back on the winning track as they host the Wolves on Tuesday night.
MEN Sport will bring you all the reaction and analysis to the match. You can have it all delivered directly to your inbox by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just enter your email address in the registration box at the top of this article, or just follow this link. It’s free and only takes a few seconds.
“United are constantly plotting their way to the top of the table, but not convinced that they are winning the league. Defensively, they remain too open; and they still play in bursts rather than dominate opponents. Playing Victor Lindelof as a right back The backup allowed Barnes to prosper while James Justin and Marc Albrighton made frequent forays from the opposite flank.
“In fact, Leicester gave everything it received, as befitted its position in the Premier League.
“Maybe it’s a sign of how far Leicester has come up in the last ten years that these teams are on equal footing. Of course, it could also be an indication of United’s decline. Be that as it may, there is little separating them. “
[ad_2]
