Leicester City came to Old Trafford knowing very well that a win will hand them the Premier League trophy. Manchester United, on the other hand, needed to register a win in order to keep both Arsenal and Manchester City under pressure for the last Champions League spot.
However, just like the last time, when both these teams met at the King Power Stadium, this match ended in a 1-1 draw as well. Anthony Martial opened the scoring for United early on but Wes Morgan equalised in the first half itself and earned a valuable point for his team.
Here are the player ratings for the match:
Manchester United
David de Gea – 7/10
As always, the Spaniard was good enough in front of the goal. He was helpless when Morgan headed in the 17th minute, however, he did make a couple of good saves from Ulloa and Mahrez to save the day for United.
Antonio Valencia – 7/10
The Ecuador international was fabulous going forward and was a menace for the Leicester defence on the right. Also, it was his cross which led to the opener for United.
Chris Smalling – 6.5/10
The towering centre-back made a couple of good tackles but was troubled by Ulloa on some occasions. All in all, it was a decent performance from him.
Daley Blind – 6.5/10
The Dutch international looked at ease and played some good passes when United were on the front foot, in the first half. However, like in some previous matches in the league, he failed to impose himself physically on the Leicester attackers.
Marcos Rojo – 5.5/10
The Argentine was better going forward than he was in defence. Mahrez caused a lot of troubles for him on the right wing and he was lucky that a penalty was not awarded when he tripped the PFA Player of the year in the box.
Michael carrick – 6/10
It was a hot and cold performance from the English veteran. Carrick, shielding the back four in a 4-1-4-1 defended well but played a few misplaced passes.
Jesse Lingard – 5/10
Perhaps the most disappointing performer for the home team was the United graduate. Though he started well on the right, partnering up well with Valencia, but he gave the ball away a lot of times.
Marouane Fellaini – 6.5/10
Fellaini seems to have found his mojo back after the FA Cup semi-final win over Everton, but was lucky to be on the pitch as his blatant elbow on Robert Huth went unpunished. He was always in the thick of things, causing trouble for both, Morgan and Huth in set-piece situations. His passes more often than not found his teammates, which is a good thing, considering his rapport of the giving the ball away too easily.
Wayne Rooney – 7.5/10
Another commendable performance from the skipper. Both his attacking and defensive qualities were on the display as he dominated the midfield. His long passes were accurate and he was never shy of taking a go at the goal. Also, he tracked back every time the Foxes constructed an attack.
Anthony Martial – 7/10
The French prodigy once again impressed with his penetrating runs and dazzling dribbles. He was undoubtedly the most vital cog in the United attack and scored an early goal with a brilliant first-time shot from Valencia’s cross. However, like other United players, he failed to carry the momentum into the second half.
Marcus Rashford – 6.5/10
The youngster did not see much of the ball, but when he did, he was never afraid of running into the defenders and create problems for them. He was taken off for Memphis in the 82nd minute.
Substitutes:
Juan Mata – 5.5/10
Mata was brought on for Jesse Lingard in the 62nd minute. He looked decisive with his passing and tried his best to help United get the winning goal, but it was just not meant to be.
Ander Herrera – 5/10
Herrera was brought on for Fellaini in the 75th minute to give United a bit more pace in the attacking threat.
Memphis – N/A
Memphis was brought on for Rashford in the 82nd minute.
Leicester City
Kasper Schmeichel – 6.5/10
He would have been the second ‘Schmeichel’ after his father, Peter to win the Premier League at Old Trafford. However, it was not meant to be as he was beaten by Martial, who finished brilliantly between the goalkeeper’s legs. Although, Kasper did make few good saves to keep his team alive in the game.
Danny Simpson – 6.5/10
Simpson was tormented by Anthony Martial in the first half. However, he upped the ante as the match progressed.
Wes Morgan – 7/10
Morgan showed how much experience counts in crucial matches like this one. He scored from a good header to equal the scoreline in the 17th minute, however, Rojo should have done better to stop Morgan from scoring the equaliser.
Robert Huth – 6.5/10
Huth partnered up well with Morgan in the heart of Foxes’ defence. Made a few good tackles and kept his composure at crucial moments.
Christian Fuchs – 6/10
Fuchs did not have a great game as he was continuously made to tackle the attacking threat posed by Valencia on the left side of Leicester defence and did not pose much of a threat going forward.
Riyad Mahrez – 6.5/10
The PFA Player of the year was not at his brilliant best in the match but did pose a reasonable amount of threat because of Rojo’s defensive frailties. However, he grew in stature as the match progressed and played in few good crosses.
N’golo Kante – 7/10
Kante was his usual self, tackling, active and full of running. He made quite a few good interceptions and did not allow United’s attack to flourish in the second half of the match.
Daniel Drinkwater – 6/10
Drinkwater’s brilliant delivery from a free-kick led to Morgan’s goal in the 18th minute. However, he was sent off in the 86th minute of the match after picking up his second yellow card of the match.
Jeffrey Schlupp – 6/10
Schlupp showed some attacking intent but often failed to track back when needed as Fuchs struggled behind him.
Shinji Okazaki – 6/10
The Japanese was quick on the counter attacks but did not see much of the ball in the match as he was substituted for Gray in the 67th minute.
Leonardo Ulloa – 6.5/10
Ulloa was a constant threat for the United defence as he struck a few good shots which either missed the goal or were saved by De Gea.
Substitutes:
Demarai Gray – 5/10
Gray came on for Okazaki in the 67th minute of the match to provide a different dimension to Leicester attack. However, he did not spend much time on the ball.
Marc Albrighton – N/A
Albrighton was brought on for Schlupp in the 77th minute of the match.
Andy King – N/A
King was brought on for Mahrez in the 88th minute after Drinkwater was sent off.
