Leicester 0-3 Manchester United (Mkhitaryan 42, Ibrahimovic
44, Mata 49)
“The last time I was sat in this chair, the next day I was
sacked!”
Jose was in a good mood at the post match press conference,
and why not? The United manager had just seen his team stroll to possibly their
easiest league win of the season at the home of the champions, who were truly
abysmal. Not only this, he’d seen his demand for the other attacking players to
ease the goal scoring burden on Zlatan Ibrahimovic answered by goals and
brilliant performances from Juan Mata and the wonderful Henrikh Mkhitaryan. It
was a world away from the frustration felt after the 0-0 draw vs Hull on
Wednesday.
Another reason for the elation was the results elsewhere.
Chelsea had beaten Arsenal 3-1, (deliciously, the third coming from Fabregas
after a Cech error), and Liverpool continued their hilarious form by losing to
the ever more impressive Hull. Top 4 is now not only back on, but almost
expected…..? Maybe. We’ll see how the retuning Europa affects us.
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| The table at the end of a good weekend |
Creating opportunities hasn’t really been a problem this
term, but our profligacy has, so it was immensely pleasing to see the
ruthlessness on display, with three goals in the space of 10 minutes either
side of half time sealing the comfortable win. The first 20 minutes didn’t
suggest any of this though, with ponderous passing and aggressive tackling from
both sides making this seem like ‘one of those’ games. United started with a
4-4-2 with Rashford down the middle, but Mourinho soon changed it back to the
more familiar 4-2-3-1 with Mkhitaryan central, where he could do his best work.
Mata was a perhaps a tad lucky to get away with a yellow for a late slide
tackle on Vardy, but afterwards we settled down and took control. Herrera
bounced back from a shocking first half hour to set the tempo with Pogba.
It was Mkhitaryan who was the real match winner though, with
a sensational performance exemplifying why he was signed. So inventive,
creative, the ability to commit defenders and most importantly direct running.
His goal was similar to his Tottenham one, the flick past Huth before
accelerating, and no one was catching him. Almost straight away we turned the
screw, an overdue assist for Valencia given the positions he gets into, and yet
another for Zlatan –at 35 years and 125 days, the Swedish legend is the oldest
player to reach 15 league goals in a season.
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| LOL @ Morgan's face |
Our midfield Armenian was at it again with one-twos with Ibrahimovic and Mata for the third, stroked in from the Spaniard in a similar manner to his winner at Carrow Road last year. He’s responded well from his poor form over Christmas, and as a goal threat, is second only to Ibrahimovic at the moment.
I felt sorry for Leicester’s recent midfield signing Ndidi, who showed impressive tenacity and passing range, as the rest of the side were almost embarrassing. Mahrez and Vardy’s displays, and the contrast from last season, fully deserved the hostility they got at full time.
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| The Special Juan rounding off the game |
The final 20 minutes were pretty dull as United, in full control, decided to rest for battles ahead rather than go for more goals and a bigger goal difference. I mean, even Youngy got some minutes. There were chances to get at least two more and catch up on the others (Mata had a one on one), and Martial could’ve been brought on to really give them both barrels, but after such a good away win, complaining like that would be unfair. It’s been a while since we scored 3 in the league, a great weekend for us, with top games from Mkhitaryan, Smalling, Mata and Zlatan.
Onwards to Watford.
United (4-2-3-1) De Gea 7; Valencia 7, Bailly 6.5, Smalling 8, Rojo
6 (Blind 46, 7); Herrera 6, Pogba 6.5; Mata 8 (Fellaini 77, 6), Mkhitaryan 9, Rashford 7 (Young
83); Ibrahimovic 8.
