Manchester United 1-2 Leicester City: 5 talking points as Foxes conquer Old Trafford | Premier League 2020-21

Manchester United lost to Leicester City at home for the first time in 21st century!
Manchester United lost to Leicester City at home for the first time in 21st century!

Manchester United went down 2-1 to Leicester City at Old Trafford as Manchester City were crowned champions of the Premier League.

Luke Thomas and Caglar Soyuncu were on target for the Foxes on either side of a goal from Mason Greenwood as they won their first game away to the Red Devils this century.

Having only played on Sunday and with a crunch game against Liverpool coming up on Thursday, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer heavily rotated his squad with almost every key player dropping to the bench.

That plan certainly backfired and despite calling on Bruno Fernandes, Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford late on in desperate substitutions, the home side couldn't find an equalizer.

The Red Devils remain in second place but their faint title hopes were squished tonight while Leicester City bolstered their top-four hopes with this stunning victory.

Here are the five talking points from the match:


#1 Ole's decision to rotate backfires

The Manchester United coach rested all his key players ahead of the Liverpool clash
The Manchester United coach rested all his key players ahead of the Liverpool clash

You can't blame him for making the changes, given his side were in action just 48 hours ago, and welcome dethroned champions Liverpool at Old Trafford within the next 48 hours. Either way, Solskjaer's plan didn't work out and the Foxes made a meal of their weakened line-up.

Even though you could see flashes of promise here and there, with Mason Greenwood in particular looking sharp and menacing, the home side lacked the usual bite in the attack and failed to control the midfield too as Leicester City made their dominance count.


#2 Luke Thomas opens his Premier League account in style

Thomas scored a ferocious volley that left Manchester United's David De Gea no chance
Thomas scored a ferocious volley that left Manchester United's David De Gea no chance

While all eyes were focused on Manchester United's youngsters, it was Leicester's very own rising star Luke Thomas who stole the show with an inch-perfect goal, his first in the Premier League.

Youri Tielemans expertly got in behind Manchester United's defense and laid out a pinpoint cross for an onrushing Thomas, with the 19-year old then unleashing a first-time volley into the far post.

It was a delightful goal, and one that perfectly sums up his season, as he's done superbly to force his way into the side and looks set to cement his place in Brendon Rodgers' XI.

#3 Anthony Elanga, remember the name!

Elanga was a bright spot for Manchester United's youthful lineup
Elanga was a bright spot for Manchester United's youthful lineup

Anthony Elanga became the 14th academy player for Manchester United to be handed his debut by Solskjaer after being named in the starting line-up. He gave a good account of himself in the match with a promising display.

The 19-year old was full of energy and demonstrated his aerial strengths too, making four offensive duels, more than any player in the game, whilst also attempting two dribbles.

He was taken off at the hour mark for Rashford, but that was certainly not because Elanga was poor. He's got the potential and can be proud of his performance on his first-team bow for Manchester United.


#4 Leicester City bolster their Champions League hopes

Leicester City picked up a huge win on their way to a top-four finish
Leicester City picked up a huge win on their way to a top-four finish

Leicester City's inconsistent results in the last few games had plunged their Champions League hopes into uncertainty, but were handed a repreive by a weakened Manchester United side, which the Foxes capitalized on with a comprehensive performance to take home all three points.

Having never won at Old Trafford in the 21st century, the odds were stacked against them, but the visitors came through unscathed, beating United with slick passing and a well-taken set-piece, as they opened up a healthy lead over West Ham and Liverpool to boost their own Champions League ambitions.


#5 Man City's wait is finally over

The Sky Blues win their third title in four years and a fifth overall
The Sky Blues win their third title in four years and a fifth overall

We all knew it was inevitable. But Manchester City's title celebrations were being delayed after strange results at the weekend - the first by their own loss to Chelsea, followed by Manchester United's comeback victory over Aston Villa the following day.

Although the Red Devils didn't really have a shot at the title, they hoped to push their neighbors as much as they could, but failure to win tonight just squished that, with the Sky Blues officially crowned the champions of the league.

Yet there are plenty of positives to be drawn for Manchester United as their side came closest to challenging them following Liverpool's monumental collapse and have a runners-up spot firmly in sight.

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Edited by Sankalp Srivastava