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It wasn't the most vintage performance, but Manchester United wouldn't care as Marcus Rashford scored to secure all three points at the King Power Stadium.
The in-form English international struck inside 10 minutes after pouncing on a defensive error. The Foxes, now winless in the last four games but having incredibly held Liverpool at Anfield just days ago, tried to replicate that spirited performance but left a lot to be desired in the attacking half.
The defeat, a third in the last four games, has relegated Claude Puel's side outside of the top 10 of the Premier League table, whereas the Red Devils continue their unbelievable resurgence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and edge within just two points off fourth-placed Chelsea.
Here are the hits and flops from the match:
Hit: Marcus Rashford
Scorer of yet another match-winner, Rashford is thriving in his best form for Manchester United since Jose Mourinho left: six of his nine league goals have come since the Portuguese coach was given the axe. And that sixth one was registered today, by another superbly finished effort.
Having missed a header early on, he quickly salvaged with a goal in the ninth minute. Sneakily stealing in behind an asleep Leicester defence, Rashford connected to Paul Pogba's looping cross with a delightful first touch, before lashing it low past Kasper Schmeichel. And it was enough to get the job done, as the visitors couldn't muster more gilt-edged chances like this.
But Rashford is a whole new ballgame these days. He's often in the right position at the right time and his finishing is pure class. In this game too, he was United's best forward, taking a wrecking ball to Leicester's defence with clever movements and an incredible burst of speed.
Even though the visitors couldn't find the net again in the match, their best chances came with only Rashford at the heart of it.
Flop: Jamie Vardy
Talking of scorers, Vardy has gone off the rails since the winner against Everton a month ago. Not that he's been particularly on song this season, but his contributions since then has dramatically declined. In fact, his only involvement in attack thereafter has been assisting Demarai Gray during the 4-3 loss to Wolves.
And he was no better today too. Vardy had the least touches on the ball compared to all other outfield players in the match and also completed only 67 percent of his passes. He could muster only two shots on target, though the second one, an overhead kick, was eye-catching and denied only by the brilliance of David De Gea.
Perhaps, that was the only moment where the former England striker looked threatening in actuality. Else, he was anonymous; cutting a forlorn figure in the attacking third. His poor form has forced the Foxes to look for goals elsewhere, as six of their last eight goals in the Premier League have come from either defenders or midfielders.
Hit: Ander Herrera
The Spanish international may not hog the limelight like many other glamorous names besides him, but it does little to hinder his influence in a match. Against Leicester, Ander Herrera was imperious, putting on a man of the match performance yet again.
Especially in the first half, he was the chief orchestrator by acting as a nexus between the defence and the midfield and also stringing together passes as the visitors looked to build on the early advantage. His 61 passes in the game were bettered only by Pogba and Luke Shaw, whereas Herrera also completed three dribbles in the match.
He didn't get many whiffs of the ball after the break, but the Spaniard was nonetheless involved in the proceedings with some forward passes and also profoundly helping out at the back: he made five tackles, two clearances and four interceptions.
A superb all-around performance from United's midfield metronome.
Flop: Nampalys Mendy and Wilfred Ndidi
In the 4-2-3-1 formation that Leicester set out in, Mendy and Ndidi were shoehorned at the base of the midfield. And were completely outrun, outfoxed and outclassed by United's midfield. Pogba, in particular, had them by their short and curlies.
The Frenchman could easily glide his way through Leicester midfield and was let far ahead in the build-up to Rashford's strike. Mendy and Ndidi had no communication amongst themselves whatsoever and also gave away possession cheaply.
Mendy had a forgetful outing. And his frustrations threatened to boil over with a rash challenge that earned him a yellow. He was lucky not have been sent off for another such tackle later on.
Leicester recently signed Youri Tielemans on loan from AS Monaco to beef up the midfield. Even though he wasn't even on the bench for United's visit today, Puel may be convinced to play him in the midfield hereafter. His arrival may not have come soon enough
