Manchester United remained unbeaten in the fourth and final game under interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy. The man of the match in the deserved victory against Leicester was Bruno Fernandes, who was involved in all three goals.
In his last game as interim manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy made three changes to the team that beat Thessaloniki 2-0 in the Europa League. The central defense was reoccupied with de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez, Lindelöf and Evans rotated out. In addition, Rashford was allowed to take over on the left for Garnacho. Meanwhile, Leicester had to do without striker Jamie Vardy, who was ruled out at short notice due to injury.
ManUnited took the initiative early on, with the Foxes initially limiting themselves to defensive work. Very little happened in the opening quarter of an hour. The Red Devils looked for the gap but couldn’t find it.
In the 17th minute, however, things went too fast for the Foxes, who had not won in three games. During a throw-in deep in the opposing half, Bruno Fernandes played a one-two with Amad, who made a spectacular heel pass. From 16 meters, the Portuguese curled the ball into the far corner.
Leicester grew in confidence and had a chance to pull a goal back in the 29th minute. Buonanotte’s sublime through ball put Ndidi through on goal, but the forward was denied by Onana.
2:0 via double thigh
And then, in the 38th minute, they got a bit of bad luck on top. Bruno Fernandes was heading Mazraoui’s cross but instead of the ball, he met the thigh of Kristiansen, who deflected the ball into his own goal – 2:0. Shortly before half-time, the agile Amad even had the chance to seal the game, but was stopped by the foot of keeper Hermansen.
It was enough for the Red Devils, who switched to administration mode very early on and let the unimaginative Foxes run on the attack. Except for a reasonably dangerous finish from Ayew (70th, Onana was on hand), the guests didn’t create anything noteworthy.
Garnacho’s curler seals the game
In the 82nd minute, the Red Devils finally sealed the game. Substitute Eriksen created plenty of space for Bruno Fernandes with a clever cross, who then laid the ball off to the left for Garnacho, who had also come on. The winger curled a superb shot into the top right corner, making it 3-0 and settling the final score at Old Trafford.
After the international break, Ruben Amorim will take his place on the Manchester United bench for the first time on November 24. The Red Devils will face Ipswich away from home. Leicester will face Chelsea the day before.
