Leicester City managed to claim a vital three points away at Old Trafford, as Ole Gunnar Solskjær rested key players in his Manchester United starting XI.
Brendan Rodgers himself rested a couple of key players for Leicester City, with both James Maddison and Ricardo Pereira being sidelined to allow Luke Thomas and Ayoze Pérez to start the game, enabling the same structure (3-4-1-2) that was dismantled versus Newcastle United.
A few lessons were learned from the fixture versus Steve Bruce’s side, most notably the shift to a 4-4-2 formation out of possession. This has been implemented in many games this season, because it allows the Foxes to press high – whilst fielding a back three. Simply, without a winger/full-back on the same side (not available in the 3-4-1-2 as you only have a wing-back), Leicester are unable to press high as the oppositions full-backs have a lot of space upon receiving possession. By adjusting the shape, Rodgers could have wingers on both flanks able to nullify the involvements of Alex Telles and Brandon Williams (by initiating a press) – despite both players best efforts to impact proceedings.
In the Newcastle United game, the Foxes remained strictly in the 3-4-1-2 formation in both phases of play and this ultimately cost them the fixture, so it was pleasing to see Rodgers utilise this adjustment but also to see it work. To enable the 4-4-2 shape, Pérez would drift from his role as the number 10 (when in possession) into a makeshift left-midfield position, Marc Albrighton would advance from his role at right wing-back into his trademark wide midfield position and lastly, Timothy Castagne would shift out of the back three and into his preferred right-back role.
I’ve stated this before, but the tactical capabilities of this current Leicester City side are levels above anything we’ve seen previously at the club – these micro positional adjustments are natural for the players and they made the transitions seamless. It was within this shape (4-4-2) that the Foxes also began to dictate the game versus Manchester United after an end-to-end affair in the first-half.
Exceptional goals from both teams, although I’d argue Luke Thomas’ was of the highest level of quality, facilitated an even fixture at the half. If you paid close attention, Leicester City started to cause problems for the Red Devils by pressing the centre-back duo of Axel Tuenzebe and Eric Bailly. This was a revelation towards the end of the first-half, but this allowed turnovers of possession in advanced areas for the Foxes. Keen to replicate this momentum, Rodgers demanded that his side upped intensity and willingness in their press and forced Manchester United’s backline to make fast decisions in possession – something they struggled with.
For the opening 21 minutes of the second-half, Leicester City controlled the ball and once they conceded possession, reclaimed it within three-to-four passes. This onslaught of pressure enabled the second goal, which was seemingly always likely to come. Prior to scoring, Kelechi Iheanacho started to find spaces in the half-spaces, Youri Tielemans was found in pockets close to United’s box and the Foxes looked increasingly comfortable playing through the makeshift opposition.
After the goal, Solskjær replaced the young cameo’s with more potent threats; Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford, and Bruno Fernandes. Perhaps a sign of inferiority, but Rodgers adjusted himself replacing the tired legs of Jamie Vardy with an energetic – if not slightly chaotic – Hamza Choudhury. This allowed the Foxes to shift into a 5-4-1, which is important as they no longer required a shift of structure once in possession, as the 5-4-1 has wingers and full-backs in its composition. Simplifying the game, whilst keeping the defensive solidarity, for the Leicester City defence was astute.
It’s definitely nerve-wracking, but the compact deep-block, defend all balls into the box and occasionally press out of the structure, is actually very functional with this set of players. Rodgers has a very good success switching to this shape and tactic to close games out. I think an important caveat is the quality of the opposition, which looked leggy in the second-half due to their lack of match sharpened, allowing the Foxes to shine.
Overall, the manner of the result will be forgotten after the season has concluded, but the magnitude – and importance – of the three points will not be overlooked. Leicester City still have two games that they require points in to confirm UEFA Champions League football, but leaving Manchester with maximum points has kept the dream of elite European football alive. Now it’s time to see if the Foxes can overcome Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea side to achieve some silverware this season in the FA Cup.