Pressure? What Pressure?
United progressed to the Carabao Cup quarter finals with a free-flowing performance that had plenty of what we’ve been lacking so often under Erik Ten Hag: goals.
Casemiro and Bruno bagged a brace each, while Alejandro Garnacho got the other. It’s only one game, but with the win and the appointment of new boss Ruben Amorim all but confirmed, the mood around Old Trafford feels a little lighter, and a lot more optimistic.
finally! first-half chances converted
What a whirlwind of a first half!
Similar to the West Ham game last week, we created numerous chances, but for once we were actually clinical in front of goal.
Casemiro started the rout after 15 minutes with a spectacular 30-yard effort – pick that one out! He was involved again for the second, playing a peach of a pass down the line for the excellent Dalot, who crossed for Garnacho to add the second with a first-time finish.
It wasn’t all plain sailing. Leicester had their moments and halved the deficit five minutes later when Khannouss pounced on a Zirkzee/Bayindir mix-up.
Bruno Fernandes restored the two-goal cushion minutes later with a deflected free-kick, and Casemiro made it 4-1 after a bit of penalty box pinball from a Rashford cross from the left.
Leicester rallied again just before the break. Connor Coady pounced on more poor defending from a set-piece and it was 4-2, but United were well worth their half-time lead.
A controlled second half
Leicester had probably their best spell just after half time; threatening to get back in the game, but we looked fairly assured at the back and there weren’t any really clear-cut Leicester chances apart from a Soumare strike that Bayendir saved well.
Bruno Fernandes put the game to bed on the hour-mark when he pounced on a loose back-pass, rounded the keeper and finished calmly. United actually exerted a measure of control on the rest of the game and Leicester didn’t really threaten to get back into it.
Player Ratings & MOTM
Bayendir – 6: Decent distribution and good save from Soumare, but was a bit shaky on first goal.
Dalot – 7: Set up the first goal and looked a constant threat down the right.
De Ligt – 7: Mostly dependable and led the back line well
Lindelof – 6.5: A bit rusty at first – understandable given his absence – but recovered well and had a decent game.
Martinez – 7: Solid at left back, great distribution as always.
Casemiro – 8.5 & MOTM: What a performance. Everything he touched seemed to turn to gold, every pass was pinpoint and he covered the entire pitch. Bagged wo goals; the first being an absolute worldie. Could have had the ‘perfect’ hat-trick but put a header wide.
Ugarte – 7.5: Broke up the play time and time again, and kept passes simple; usually giving the ball to our more creative players. Looked to be showing signs of his hefty price tag last night.
Fernandes – 8: Constantly involved, creative and got about the pitch. Got a couple of goals, the second of which showed great composure.
Garnacho – 7.5: Great first-time finish and looked a constant threat down the left
Rashford – 6.5: Decent when on the ball and set up Casemiro’s second goal, it just so happened that most of our play happened down the other flank. Choosing between Rashford and Garnacho on the left could be a potential future head-scratcher for Ruben Amorim.
Zirkzee – 6: Some good link-up play and could have scored himself, but it still isn’t clear how or where exactly the big Dutchman fits into this team.
Subs:
Mazraoui (on for Martinez on 62′) – 6: An easy run-out with the game already in the bag.
Amad (on for Rashford on 63′) – 7: Some really skilful touches and nearly scored a stunning overhead kick with pretty much his first touch.
Hojlund (on for Garnacho on 73′) – 6: Kept going but little sight of goal with the game already won
Wheatley (on for Martinez on 85′) – N/A.
Looking forward
Tottenham away is our Carabao Cup quarter-final draw.
There are several credible reports saying that Ruben Amorim will see out the crucial next few games for Sporting Lisbon, and will take his place on the United bench for the Ipswich game on the 24th of November.
That leaves three home games for Ruud: Chelsea at the weekend, PAOK in the Europa League and Leicester again in the League.
Chelsea is a big step up in quality from Leicester, but if we play like we did last night going forward, and cut out the defensive errors, there is no reason we can’t beat them.
United are massively under-performing this season, but after last night we have just a little bit of something that has been sorely lacking for a while now: hope.