Manchester United vs. Leicester City: Score, Reaction from 2016 Premier League

Manchester United made a barnstorming return to winning ways by defeating Premier League champions Leicester City 4-1 as manager Jose Mourinho made the decision to drop captain Wayne Rooney from his XI on Saturday.

The Red Devils soared into a 4-0 lead before half-time as Paul Pogba netted his debut senior goal for the club, joining stand-in captain Chris Smalling, Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford on the scoresheet.

Demarai Gray came off the bench to bag Leicester’s only goal of the game. The talismanic pair of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez were taken off at half-time after disappointing in the opening 45 minutes.

Jesse Lingard started in place of Rooney, and Mourinho’s decision to drop his armband-wearer was vindicated by United’s purring first-half performance.

Goal’s Nizaar Kinsella noted this could be the beginning of Rooney’s gradual ebb away from United’s XI:

Ander Herrera and Juan Mata both deserve game time ahead of Wayne Rooney, great players. #MUFC

— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) September 24, 2016

Those only familiar with the full-time result will have hardly believed it was the Foxes who posed the greater attacking threat for much of the opening 20 minutes, as they operated largely on the counter-attack.

According to WhoScored.com, it was during these opening exchanges that United’s share of possession ticked over the 75 per cent mark at one time, with Mourinho’s men swiftly establishing their foothold.

Leicester’s greatest scoring chances were relegated to corners, however, and it was perhaps indicative of their limitations that defenders Robert Huth and Christian Fuchs were among their leading shooters at goal with two apiece.

United’s initial impact came in the 22nd minute, and Sky Football provided footage of the England totem heading in Daley Blind’s acutely aimed set piece:

WATCH: Stand-in captain Chris Smalling gives #MUFC the lead. Watch on SS1 or follow https://t.co/utRXzAs7w0 https://t.co/d17Bfe3yOk

— Sky Football ⚽️ (@SkyFootball) September 24, 2016

Many would agree that breakthrough came against the run of play, but United seemed to thrive off Smalling’s incision, proceeding to open up and play more expansive football.

This was never more clear than in …

continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com