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Manchester United defeat Leicester City 2-1 at Old Trafford

Manchester United have started their 2018/19 Premier League campaign with a quality win, as the Red Devils defeated Leicester City 2-1 at Old Trafford. Pogba opened the scoring very early on, converting from the penalty spot. It was an even game throughout, before Luke Shaw doubled the advantage for United in the second half. The away side made a late push, and even grabbed one back from Vardy, but Man Utd were able to hold on to pick up the three points in their opening fixture.

 

It was a dream start to the game, as United were awarded a penalty three minutes into the contest. A shot from Sanchez was blocked, and then bounced off the arm of a Leicester defender. Pogba picked up the ball, and cooly converted the penalty, placing it into the top right corner.

 

Leicester tried to come back into the game quickly, and won a free kick in a dangerous. The set piece led to nothing, as the cross was headed away by Pogba.

 

Leicester attempted to get the ball down the wing, but were stopped by a crunching tackle from Eric Bailly.

 

The away side continued to attack, and Iheanacho found himself in a good position. His shot rolled just wide, but the player was deemed offside anyway.

 

United fans got their first #DaveSaves of the season at the half hour mark. Pereira got open on the right side, and laid off a pass to Maddison.

 

Pogba went for an audacious long shot, but hit it right at Schmeichel, who caught the ball with relative ease.  

 

United crept closer and closer, and had a decent chance created from Fred. The Brazilian dinked in a lovely ball into the middle, but the ball was headed over by Alexis. The Chilean was called offside, anyway.

 

A quick give and go between Shaw and Mata carved out a decent chance for the left back. It wasn’t a bad effort from Shaw either, but Schmeichel was able to make another save.

 

Iheanacho thought he was played through on goal early in the second half, but a picture perfect tackle from Bailly stopped him in his tracks.

 

A lovely counter attack was started by Bailly, who found Pogba in the midfield. The Frenchman played Alexis Sanchez out wide, who then laid the ball off to the top of the box. Mata was first to it, but his shot deflected wide of the target.

 

The first change for United came at the hour mark, as Romelu Lukaku came on for Marcus Rashford.

 

Leicester came very close, as Vardy dispossessed Shaw in the corner. His cross picked out Iheanacho, whose low shot was just dealt with by De Gea.

 

Mourinho made a second change fifteen minutes from time, as McTominay came on for Fred.

 

United thought they were set to double the advantage, when Sanchez played Lukaku through on goal. The Belgian went for a side foot finish, but Schmeichel was somehow able to make a heroic save to keep his team in the game.

 

Man Utd were able to grab a second soon after in a truly wonderful moment. Juan Mata picked the ball up on the right wing before cutting inside. Shaw made a run down the left side, and was played through by the diminutive Spaniard. Shaw got to the ball, and touched it past his marker, before unleashing a volley past Schmeichel. Shaw ran into the corner to celebrate, and Mourinho was just as happy as the player was.

 

The final sub for United came after the goal, with Fellaini replacing Pogba.

 

Leicester pressured late to try and grab one back, but did two minutes from time. A cross from out wide missed everyone before smacking off the post. Vardy was quickest to react, as he headed home the rebound from close range.

 

The away side had one final corner in the last minute, but United were able to deal with the danger, and hold on to the three points.

 



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