Rashford double powers United to 3-0 win over Leicester City

Rashford double powers United to 3-0 win over Leicester City

Manchester United delivered another statement performance in the Premier League as the Red Devils comfortably swept aside Leicester City with a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford. A Marcus Rashford brace and a goal for substitute Jadon Sancho powered Erik ten Hag’s side to an impressive win at home, taking them to within five points of league leaders Arsenal, albeit having played an extra game.

United hosted Leicester City on the back of a tiring away trip to Barcelona in the Europa League in midweek, and the home side looked weary to start the encounter. Brendan Rodgers’ side dominated the early proceedings at Old Trafford and even carved out two golden chances to open the scoring. David de Gea bailed out Manchester United with a fine stop to thwart Harvey Barnes on the counter before the Spaniard made an even better save off the goal-line to deny Kelechi Iheanacho’s header.

Leicester paid the price for their profligacy in front of goal as United took the lead in the 25th minute with their first real opportunity of the game. Bruno Fernandes released Marcus Rashford with a lofted pass over the defence and the Englishman smashed his shot past Danny Ward into the bottom corner to score in his sixth consecutive game in all competitions.

The hosts should have doubled their lead before the break, but Diogo Dalot couldn’t sort his feet in time to convert Bruno Fernandes’ cross. United went into the break at 1-0, but it was only one-way traffic in the second half as the Red Devils shifted through the gears to blow Leicester away.

Lisandro Martinez struck the bar with a header from a Luke Shaw set-piece before Rashford doubled his tally and the lead with another smart finish in the 56th minute. The forward’s goal was initially ruled out for offside by the assistant referee, but the decision was overturned after a check by the VAR.

United displayed their burgeoning confidence as a team with their third goal. Jadon Sancho exchanged quick passes with Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes in the Leicester half before calmly getting on the end of the Portuguese’s cross to put the Red Devils 3-0 ahead.

This result leaves Manchester United just three points behind local rivals Manchester City in second place. Erik ten Hag’s side’s attention, though, turns away from the Premier League over the next week as United take on Barcelona on Thursday in the second leg of their Europa League tie before facing Newcastle United at Wembley in the League Cup Final.