Manchester United have suffered late heartbreak yet again, drawing away to Leicester 2-2 after conceding in the 94th minute.
Mourinho was forced into a change at right back, as Valencia was out injured. Darmian was also unavailable, so Lindelof was given the start out of his natural position. The rest of the team was standard, as Pogba returned to league action after his suspension.
United almost grabbed a goal in the opening minutes. A cross from Mata deflected up into the air into the penalty area. Smalling jumped highest, but put his header over the bar.
United kept up the pressure, creating some quality chances. A shot from Lingard deflected off a Leicester defender, and looked like it might loop over the head of Schmeichel in goal, but the keeper did well to punch it over the bar.
The Dane was forced into another save when Pogba ripped a shot from outside the area, but Schmeichel dealt with the effort well.
In peak Leicester fashion, however, the home side were able to grab a goal against the run of play. A longball bombed over the United defence picked out Mahrez, who held the ball up. Vardy made a run in behind, and was picked out by Mahrez. Vardy made no mistake from close out, slotting his finish past De Gea to give Leicester a 1-0 lead.
United responded well to the opener, and were able to find an equaliser before the half. A cross from Martial deflected into the penalty area, and found its way to Lingard. He rolled it to Mata, who took a touch, and placed a shot into the bottom corner. It was a classy finish from the diminutive Spaniard, who did well to keep his composure.
Leicester were the better team to start the second half, maintaining possession and limiting opportunities for United on the counter.
The game blew open, as both sides came incredibly close to scoring.
Leicester had the first chance. Mahrez dribbled down the wing, and played a low ball across the penalty area. It found Fuchs in space, and the left back got a shot off quickly. It went past De Gea, but was blocked on the line by Lindelof.
United countered, with Lingard carrying the ball up the pitch. He found Lukaku, who cut inside, and played a brilliant pass through to Martial. The Frenchman controlled the ball well, but bottled the finish, hitting it well over the bar.
Manchester would not rue the missed chance for long, as they took the lead soon after. Martial won a free kick on the edge of the area. Mata stepped up, and dinked his shot over the wall, past Schmeichel, into the back of the net.
Marcus Rashford came on for Martial to freshen up the attack.
United could’ve, and probably should’ve, put the game away soon after the substitution. A quick counter from the Red Devils resulted in Lukaku playing a superb through ball to Lingard. The youth academy product did well to round Schmeichel, but hit his shot off the post.
Amartey was then sent off for Leicester, picking up his second yellow in about 5 minutes when he hacked down Rashford.
The miss would be Lingard’s final act of the day, as he was replaced by Ander Herrera.
United missed yet another chance to double their advantage. Pogba played a perfect through ball to Rashford, who was 1 on 1 against Schmeichel. He tried to round the keeper like Lingard, but Schmeichel got a hand to the ball to get it away.
Juan Mata, the obvious favourite for man of the match, was replaced by Mkhitaryan.
Leicester could’ve been awarded a penalty from a corner. Maguire tried to jump for a header, but was held down by Smalling. Thankfully for United, the referee waved play on.
Resistance would prove to be futile, as United conceded in the 94th minute. A cross from Albrighton flew over the United defense, and found its way to Maguire at the back post. The center back made no mistake, poking it past De Gea into the goal.
United’s next match is on Boxing Day, as the Red Devils host Burnley.
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