Leicester v Man Utd Review (21/03/21)


The clash between 2nd and 3rd in the Premier League at the King Power was the last of the quarter finals in the FA Cup. Manchester United were fresh off the back of their 1-0 win at the San Siro on Thursday and they were hoping to book a place at Wembley. Leicester, however, hadn’t played since last Sunday when they put Sheffield United to the sword with a 5-0 win. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer made 5 changes from Milan whereas Brendan Rodgers made just 1 with Marc Albrighton replacing Ricardo Pereira. This match was arguably the pick of Quarter Final weekend in the FA Cup. 

It was a slow start from both sides however it soon livened up when Fred lost the ball to Jamie Vardy on the edge of the Man United 18 yard box; the Englishman’s shot was parried away by Dean Henderson. This was a warning for United and Fred in particular. Minutes later, the Brazilian lost it on the edge of his box again but this time, he was punished. Kelechi Iheanacho was on to it in a flash and rounded Henderson and tapped it into the net to continue his rich vein of form. 1-0 to the Foxes on 24 minutes. Following the goal, Man United began to grow into the game. Fred tried to make up for his previous mistake, he came close too, the 28 year old’s cross had to be tipped around the post by Kasper Schmeichel. United’s first clear-cut chance came on the 38 minute mark when Paul Pogba turned the young Wesley Fofana. His pull back was dummied by Donny van de Beek and Mason Greenwood was on hand to draw Man United level and score what was just his fourth goal of the season. The game began to open up towards the end of the first half, the best chance of the sides to go in front went to United. Paul Pogba was involved once more, his long range effort however was tame and failed to trouble the Leicester goalkeeper. The teams went in level at the break. 


During half time the draw for the semi finals of the competition took place. The winner of the tie we’re focusing on would play Southampton at Wembley on the weekend of the 17/18th of April. Both sides would’ve certainly been elated with this, avoiding Chelsea and Manchester City who make up the other semi. 


Leicester enjoyed the more possession at the start of the second half and it paid off. Youri Tielemans worked the one-two with Iheanacho to take Nemanja Matic out the game, drove through the lines and fired the ball across Dean Henderson and into the bottom left corner to put his side 2-1 up. The Red Devil’s began to come into the game after Leicester’s goal but they couldn’t really muster a clean cut chance. As a result, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made 4 changes on the 64th minute. Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, Edinson Cavani and Scott McTominay all replaced Alex Telles, Paul Pogba, Donny van de Beek and Nemanja Matic. Solskjaer’s changes definitely made a difference, well for at least a while. In the first 3 minutes after the subs came on, Man United won 3 corners yet they were unable to capitalise on any of these opportunities. For the next 10 or so minutes United would continue to have most of the ball but once again, they couldn’t create a chance. They were then chastised on 77 minutes. Denis Praet, who had just replaced Ayoze Perez, won a free kick on the left wing for Brendan Rodgers men. It was taken by Marc Albrighton who looped it over everyone except Kelechi Iheanacho who headed in at the back post. Game over. The visitors tried to get back in the game through a Bruno Fernandes free kick and an Anthony Martial header but they were both saved by Kasper Schmeichel. It finished 3-1 to Leicester. 


It’s safe to say Manchester United lacked will and intensity today, Leicester were the better side. They had more drive and fight about them, especially in the midfield. The duo of Youri Tielemans and Wilfred Ndidi ran the show - they picked up loose balls, broke up the play and got forward. Having said that it was Kelechi Iheanacho who will get all the credit, a man of the match performance and two goals from the Nigerian helped him keep up his immense form and get his 7th goal in 4 games. Nonetheless, the importance of Tielemans and Ndidi cannot be underestimated. The Foxes will now take on Southampton at Wembley in 4 weeks time and will play in their first FA Cup semi final since 1982.

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