Manchester United sought to salvage a terrible performance, but Leicester City rallied back to claim their first victory of the season.
With this defeat, United’s 29-game unbeaten record in the English Premier League comes to an end.
Mason Greenwood’s spectacular long-range goal put United ahead after 18 minutes, but Leicester equalized before halftime when Harry Maguire, who had a terrible afternoon, was robbed by Kelechi Iheanacho to grasp the ball and set for Tielemans who precisely converted the equalizer.
After the break, Leicester City were vastly superior and went ahead when Caglar Soyuncu pounced in a goalmouth scramble with 12 minutes remaining, sparking a fresh wave of late goals.
Marcus Rashford, back as a substitute after missing three months due to shoulder surgery, appeared to have pulled United out of a dark tunnel four minutes later when he ran on to Victor Lindelof’s long ball and finished emphatically.
It was a sign of how bad United were that they fell behind again right away when Ayoze Perez pulled the ball back for Jamie Vardy to pop a finish high past David de Gea.
There would be no comeback this time, as Patson Daka bundled in at the far post for the fourth goal.
Foxes Rediscover their Form
It is unavoidable that much attention will be focused on Manchester United’s and manager Solskjaer’s failings, but Leicester deserve enormous credit for a results that saw them return to their best after a blended start to the season.
Jonny Evans’ presence in defence provided a sense of security and quality, while Iheanacho taunted Maguire, who delivered a labored and blunder performance.
Leicester may have tumbled behind to Greenwood’s wonder goal, but they never gave up hope, and it was no surprise when Tielemans demonstrated his quality with that clipped finish over De Gea into the far corner after Maguire bizarrely dallied on the ball.
What an afternoon! 🤩
Here’s how all the #LeiMun action unfolded 📝👇
— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 16, 2021
It gave Leicester a lot of motivation, and they drew a lot of attention as a result.
Gloomy & Shambolic Manchester United
Maguire, who had returned to the team following injury, set the tone for Manchester United’s – and his own – performance when he ran the ball tamely into touch within seconds.
Greenwood’s goal should have fired United into life, but this was a bleak, disorganized performance that deserved to be punished.
United were shambolic at the defense, poor in midfield, and Cristiano Ronaldo was a fringe figure unable to muster up any of his former magic without the injured Raphael Varane.
In midfield, Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba were overpowered. The Serb was slow, while Pogba’s only contribution was a string of fouls that led to a caution late in the game.
Solskjaer looked lost in his technical area at times, and his substitution of McTominay and Jesse Lingard for Matic and Greenwood when Leicester went 2-1 up screamed of desperation rather than a calculated approach.
“Stop conceding stupid goals” is a good moto for the foreseeable future for @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/bEu7pJ5tC7
— Manchester United LA (@MUFC_LosAngeles) October 16, 2021
United looked like a mob in the closing moments, and escaping with a point would have been tremendous robbery.
In their last two league games at Old Trafford, United had lost and drawn to Aston Villa and Everton, and only a late-gasp winner from Cristiano Ronaldo saved them from Villarreal in the Champions League.
Solskjaer now has a busy week ahead of him, starting with a Champions League match against Atalanta at Old Trafford on Wednesday, followed by a crucial match against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday, October 24.