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United's Forward Line
Alexis Sanchez had a very busy pre-season and put in some brilliant performances for United playing up-top through the middle. But, he was unable to produce an effective performance against Leicester last night. Against Leicester, Sanchez started on the left of a front three along with Juan Mata on the right, and Marcus Rashford through the middle.
This combination did not look to be on the same wavelength. Their combination play was poor except on a couple of occasions throughout the match. In the pre-season tour, Mata and Alexis showed promising signs as they combined very well with each other but, against Leicester, they were unable to add Rashford into their equation. Rashford, by the looks of it, did not seem his usual sharp self as he lost the ball and was caught offside too many times.
Without Lukaku, there seems to be no genuine goal threat from the United forward line. Mata, for all his genius on the ball, lacks the pace to go direct. United can maybe look to groom Anthony Martial (if he chooses to stay) and Marcus Rashford to be effective from the right wing, even though it may not be their natural strength. Jesse Lingard is also a candidate to start on the right, even though he prefers to slot in behind the main striker. Alexis Sanchez needs to start replicating his pre-season form in the league soon to warrant his massive wage bill.
He misplaced simple passes too often last night. A trio with Sanchez on the left, Martial, Rashford or Lingard on the right, and Lukaku down the middle has the potential to frighten any defence in the league but, they need to start firing on all cylinders.
