After a tepid first-half performance from both teams, the second half kicked into life. A Kelechi Iheanacho diving header and a Fred equaliser in a game in which either went close to snatching a winner.
Alas, the spoils were shared between Manchester United and Leicester. But what three things did Foxes of Leicester learn?
Leicester City’s adept defence
Although it seems harsh on a solid Daniel Amartey and an improving Caglar Soyuncu, it was a delight to see Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana starting a game together for the first time since the FA Cup Final victory last May.
The Northern-Irish centre-back organised the defence better than we’d seen in a while and encouraged aerial challenges to be won from the offset. With his recovery still being staggered, he was only able to complete 60 minutes; apparently a pre-match decision from Rodgers. Yet it was an hour of relatively untroubled defending which came from doing the basics right.
Wesley Fofana’s youthful exuberance was in full swing as his remarkable recovery from a horror leg break last summer continues. His performance was less assured with a couple of late challenges, and a rusty in-field pass that nearly gifted Bruno Fernandes the opener. Please click the below link to travel to the subsequent page of this article.
But he still showed the swagger and quality that is turning the heads of many top European clubs. Bar an outstanding save from David De Gea he would have had another goal to his name. Give him more time and he’ll be even more consistent.
With both players building up their fitness it will be interesting to see if they start against PSV on Thursday night, with five subs in the European Conference League it might help make that decision easier.
Conspiracy theories are back
A visit to Old Trafford wouldn’t be complete without a few refereeing complaints from City supporters. The sort that the general media would dismiss as ‘small club syndrome’ and probably won’t even be mentioned too much.
In truth, the referee probably wasn’t too bad over the whole game, but when Scott McTominay flew into a challenge high on James Maddison, it seemed inevitable that the referee would play safe with only a yellow. McTominay was dangerous, out of control and nowhere near the ball.
Video technology is available and as sophisticated as possible, but still nobody wanted to push the referee to take a closer look in front of a partisan crowd to send off one of their own. That is not competent or brave enough officiating!
Later on, Kelechi Iheanacho thought he’d set up a Maddison winner but was adjudged by video technology to have fouled Raphael Varane before silky skills set Maddison up. It possibly was a foul but Varane made such a big deal of acting injured that the ref was drawn to it. Also, he pushed Iheanacho slightly before it arguably caused the foul. Of course, the referee and the Video Assistant Referee were going to give it though.
James Maddison improving
Although his overall performance wasn’t perfect, he like others could have used the ball a bit better, Maddison continues to show consistency where it matters.
The playmaker’s left-footed cross for Iheancho’s goal was wonderful and was another assist for his impressive numbers this season. As already mentioned he could have had a goal as well, but it wasn’t meant to be. He created the most chances of any player in the game with four and continues to impress in his set-piece delivery which was more consistent and dangerous throughout.
Fans of the East Midlanders see this level of performance from Maddison every week, it would be nice if the England manager rewarded these numbers and performances with the caps they deserved. It would make a change from rewarding favourites and underperformers and not dishearten a reinvigorated Maddison.