Scorers: Bruno Fernandes (Pen, 70’), Lingard (98’)
1. United make Champions League, but only just.
In a game where Leicester looked more likely of the two to score, United produced a performance that have been in line with their last 3 games – stale and sterile. A team that has more or less stuck to the same eleven since the restart, seemed leggy in the last few games. Both sides have had chances that could have turned the tide of the game, but it was a familiar theme that bailed United out. Rightly or not, United have been awarded 13 penalties in the season, 20 in all competitions. This was their number 14 and it proved to be the difference as Bruno Fernandes who took the penalty confidently and slotted it home with a calm bottom left finish.
In the closing minutes of the game, Jesse Lingard capitalized on a Kasper Schmeichel error by dispossessing the keeper and slotting it home into an empty net to seal United’s place in next season’s Champion’s League.
While the celebrations of being in the Champions League would be one for both the team and fans to celebrate, Manchester United struggled to break down a Leicester city team that had 6 first XI unavailable and that should worry United fans in the future.
2. So close yet so far for Leicester.
For a team playing without 6 key players in the likes of Chilwell, Fuchs, Maddison, Ricardo Pereira and Soyuncu through injury and suspension, Leicester were the better team overall as they had the more clear and dangerous chances to score. Unfortunately for them they did not take those chances which would have clearly changed the dynamic of the game. Up until the penalty, United had been limited to just one or two clear cut chances.
Brendan Rogers would surely wonder what could have been. This however would not be the turning point that shaped their season. Leicester find themselves missing out in a Champion’s League spot because of their own poor form after the restart. Next season would certainly be another chance to build a team that can challenge for Top 4, but with Europa League fixtures to contend, especially in this COVID-19 times – would present a bigger challenge on a squad that does not have the depth in quality to possibly handle a fixture congestion. This team looks like it is set for a minor rebuild and Brendan Rogers has definitely earned the right to do so.
3. Question still lingers over Ole’s credentials.
United’s season can be considered saved thanks to their qualification for Champion’s League. This would definitely gloss over their poor run before Bruno Fernandes transformed them after his arrival in the January transfer window. Whilst he may have found his starting XI and would definitely, according to many reports, add on to it – with the likes of Sancho and Grealish a few players to name – there has been a reluctance for him to make use of his current players that is available to him. Ighalo and Mata are some that come to mind especially in a rotational basis. He also leaves his changes till the eleventh hour when in a crunch, choosing to believe his first XI might pull him through. It is this inability to react in-game that still makes his hire questionable.
He should though be given credit for having gotten rid of deadwood and instilled character in a team. But to return United to winning ways, he might not have the guile, nous or character to create moments that turns the tide to United’s favour.
Written by: Baz
