Old Trafford
Commentary notes from Manchester United 2-1 Leicester City
After much talk as to whether Harry Maguire and/or Jamie Vardy would start following their international exploits at the World Cup, Maguire did indeed start at Old Trafford causing some smiles among the tabloid newspapers in the sardine can that is the press box at the theatre of dreams.
Maguire had been linked with a big money transfer to The Red Devils as the transfer window closed at 17:00 the day before but such were the lack of options for Claude Puel that he had to start the former Sheffield Wednesday man (referred to in an affectionate way by some since as ‘Slab Head’ following fellow Yorkshireman Jamie Vardy’s admission that his large head lent itself to such a surname as the players headed to Russia in the summer.
Jose Mourinho had been said to have been very negative and withdrawn in the summer press conferences but sent his players out with a bee in their bonnet, they were after The Foxes from the off using pace and possession with Pogba and Fred not allowing City a kick.
Puel saw it fit to put Daniel Amartey at right back instead of £17m summer signing Ricardo – the Portuguese played a role as a winger instead – and it was Amartey who gave away a foolish penalty 2 minutes in, seemingly moving his bicep towards the ball. Alexi Sanchez’ shot his Wes Morgan and deflected in Amartey’s position and in order to stop it reaching the impressive Luke Shaw he inextricably conceded the penalty; Paul Pogba took 8 seconds from when referee Mariner blew the whistle to strike the ball but into Kasper Schmeichel’s top corner it went.
David De Gea made a superb save from debutante James Maddison in the 29th minute. The £24m summer signing from Norwich receiving the ball from Ricardo who was clever in cutting it back, a neat first touch and strong shot was well saved by the Spaniard to keep it at one nil.
Mddison was replaced 63 minutes in by Jamie Vardy who had an instant impact. In the 75th he hasstled Luke Shaw near his own corner flag, won the ball and squared it to Demari Gray who’s 7 yard volley was well saved by De Gea, again.
Lukaku forced an incredible spread eagle save from Kasper Schmeichel just three minutes later. The Belgian should have scored but for the reactions and shape Schmeichel made to pull off a genuinely world class save.
Then what I believe to be two degrees of fortune for the home side.
Luke Shaw tried to push a pass from 15 yards from outside to inside to beat Ricardo, he got it wrong and the ball went outside, the fluke acted to bamboozle Ricardo and Shaw then tried to square the ball inadvertently scoring his first senior goal into the bottom corner at the Stretford End.
Jamie Vardy shot over in the 91st minute with an effort he’d usually expect to get on target.
Ricardo, who was at the centre of a lot of good for Leicester, crossed deep in injury time into the corridor of uncertainty, De Gea left it, it hit the post and Vardy was there to nod in in the 93rd minute.
A grandstand finish ensued with a late corner seeing Schmiechel come up and attack the ball only for it to go wide at the final whistle.
Organised
Energetic
One silly mistake
Youthful (especially the left)
Unlucky
Maddison class
Our first game with Matt Piper as our new summariser and he did a top top job. Jason Bourne drove the car, we arrived and the car park attendant said “you from Sky lads?” our car has BBC Radio Leicester splashed all over it, Jason instantly said “no mate BBC……” Pipes and I crying laughing, he got him within seconds much to the amusement of the attendant, 1-0. Love you Jay. It had been a long and difficult 4 hour drive in fairness, still funny though.