Weghorst has won a couple of headers in a row, which may seem significant, but he seems to shrink in aerial duels and his defeat in one led to Iheanacho’s chance.
Manchester United’s shape has been too porous when they have tried to advance the ball into the final third, where the link up play has been lacking. Ten Hag has just had a pop at Martinez for going long. Just as I was typing how open it is at both ends Leicester have the first chance. United have played on the front foot but also looked too disjointed in defence when Leicester have launched counter-attacks.
That is undeniably a symptom of Casemiro’s absence and Barnes ought to have scored. It was a trmendous save from De Gea still. Maddison does brilliantly to turn away from a chal;lenge and play through Iheanacho, the striker’s touch is poor but Lindelof has to slide in to send the shot wide. The resulting corner comes to nothing with Iheanacho shooting wide.
Kobbie Mainoo is selected on the bench again today, further confirming his rise up the pecking order, overtaking Zidane Iqbal in the process. He might not get on the pitch today, but he is very much the academy graduate most likely to break into the first-team next.
Win today and United will start to look certainties for a top three finish. Newcastle have started wobbling in a month that often determines who’s going to have a competitive run-in and United capitalised on their draw at Bournemouth last week by beating Leeds the next day.
Leicester are a more stable and happier club than the one United edged out on deadline day in September and Rodgers’ knack for improving young players has continued in his most turbulent season since his last few months at Liverpool in 2015.