Manchester United 3-1 Leicester : Five Talking Points

Goals from Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and an own goal from Wes Morgan were enough to lift Manchester United into third place. Although Marcin Wasilewski scored with 10 minutes to go, the visitors were unable to make further inroads as they stay rooted to the bottom of the league table. After a slow start, United took the lead as Van Persie capitalised on a through ball from his compatriot Daley Blind and scored with a brilliant right-footed volley. Angel Di Maria’s strike five minutes later was parried by Mark Schwarzer and Falcao capitalised on the opportunity to make it 2-0. And just before half-time Morgan put one through his own net from a Wayne Rooney corner to cap off a poor half by the visitors.Here are the major talking points from the game.

#1 United\'s diamond sparkles

A lot has been made about Van Gaal's insistence on playing three at the back. But for all the criticism that he gets, the Dutchman has shown that he is flexible and plays a formation which he thinks will win them the game.

Against Leicester at home, United were always going to have a lot of the ball and so needed more attackers to open the visitors’ defence. So his decision to play a diamond in midfield with Di Maria at the tip, was always going to mean goals and that is exactly how it turned out.

With Di Maria running from deep and creating chances and Rooney and Januzaj as the two in front of Blind, the Red Devils looked threatening going forward; but as Van Gaal predicted, were caught out a few times at the back showing that for all of its glitter, the diamond has a few drawbacks after all.

#2 First-half blitzkreig enough to see of Leicester

After the slow and ponderous start that has become the norm this season, a goal breathed a new lease of life into United's play. Although Van Persie was slightly off side, Daley Blind's pressure high up the pitch was what forced a mistake that eventually led to the Dutchman's goal.

Once the goal went in, the home side looked sharper and hungrier for more. Two more goals before half-time made a difficult task even harder for Leicester. Although the visitors came from behind to win at home earlier in the season, they never looked like doing the same at Old Trafford. Even their goal was nothing more than a consolation as United simply kept possession and claimed three valuable points at home.

#3 Van Persie, Falcao and the joy of strike partnerships

It is not too often that sides these days play with two up front. For better or for worse, Manchester United have done that throughout this season. Against Leicester, Van Persie and Falcao showed just why world class strikers are so lethal in pairs.

Although neither has the pace to get in behind the defence, they showed great understanding and awareness of everything around them. Although many will talk about the two goals, it was the manner of the two goals that will excite Van Gaal.

Playing on the shoulder of the last defender, Van Persie timed his run perfectly to get into a shooting position for the first goal. The second was all about Falcao's instincts inside the box. While it wasn't a great goal by any means, the hunger and desire that the Colombian showed in getting to the ball first and scoring will certainly please both the fans and the manager.

Whether it was dropping deep and holding up the ball, or creating chances for the team, both Van Persie and Falcao did it all and showed just why a single striker is good, but a strike pair, especially one composed of world class practitioners, is lethal.

#4 Impressive Januzaj shows plenty of strength

If there is one criticism of Van Gaal aside from his inclination to play three at the back, it is his reluctance to play Adnan Januzaj. The Belgian who broke into the scene last season, took over Ryan Giggs No.11 shirt, but hasn't been given the opportunity to showcase his skills very often this season.

He was given one against Leicester, where he started as a left-sided central midfielder and finished as a more conventional left winger. While his pace and trickery is there for all to see, what was impressive about the Belgian was his strength. His ability to fend off challenges and either force his way past defenders or pick a teammate in space was quite striking.

Although his final ball wasn't always perfect, that will only get better with more games under his belt. After a performance such as this, it would certainly be difficult for Van Gaal to drop him.

#5 Home form key for Leicester

Although they beat Manchester United at home, nobody expected them to do the double at Old Trafford. While they were unlucky with the first goal, it was they themselves who were to blame for the other two.

The good thing for the Foxes is this – in the grand scheme of things, games against the top sides, especially away from home, aren’t going to matter. What will though are their home games.

Their next three home games are against Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Hull City. If they can get two wins from those three games, then they will quickly make their way out of the bottom three and in Nigel Pearson, they have a manager whose composure will be key to their survival. Nine of their remaining Premier League games are against sides in the bottom half, four of them at home. So as long as they beat the sides around, they should be safe.