After losing just three times all season in their title winning campaign of 2015/16, defending champions Leicester have matched that total in just three games this time out.
The 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford was a chastening reminder of how tough things will be for the Foxes this season, and was the second time they have conceded four times on the road in two games. It was a really bad day for the Champions.
Ron-Robert Zieler – 4
No chance with any of the goals, but Leicester looked messy at the back without the calming influence of Kasper Schmeichel. The German deputy also struggled with the ball at his feet, and generally didn’t help his struggling defence.
Danny Simpson – 4
Looked as if he would be fine dealing with Rashford initially, but soon the youngster had the Leicester right back exactly where he wanted him. Simpson then lost the youngster who tapped in a third for United. A tangle with Morgan that left both on the floor summed up his afternoon.
Wes Morgan – 5
Leicester’s best defender, but that isn’t saying much. Didn’t make the mistakes of his peers, but was poorly beaten to the ball by Lingard for United’s second that started the collapse. At the very least, he was solid in the air, the only redeeming feature for a team that were overpowered in the area.
Robert Huth – 2
Awful, awful display by Huth. Ibrahimovic beat him in the air for the majority of the game, but it was at corners that the German looked particularly bad. He and Christian Fuchs combined to let Chris Smalling have a free header to put United ahead, and his marking was atrocious at all subsequent set pieces. A yellow card compounded his misery in what was an afternoon to forget.
Christian Fuchs – 4
Another player primarily responsible for Leicester’s corner malaise, Fuchs combined with Huth to lose Smalling for the opener, and then was emphatically beaten by Pogba for the fourth. He slightly redeemed himself with some decent attacking play in the second half, but it was a dismal display by the Austrian.
Riyad Mahrez – 5
Mahrez only played the first half, presumably hauled off to be rested for the Champions League in midweek, but he didn’t have any real impact on the game. He whipped in a dangerous looking cross at 1-0, but on the whole, he made no impact.
Daniel Amartey – 4
It’s never going to be easy replacing N’Golo Kante, but asking Daniel Amartey to do the same role is just asking for trouble. The 21-year-old let Mata go for United’s second and third goals, and generally struggled in the first half as the opposition swamped around him. He improved when Andy King came on to add another midfielder.
Danny Drinkwater – 7
The one Leicester play who played from the start who had a good game. Drinkwater won the ball back on numerous occasions in midfield, and always looked to get his team moving early, either through a long pass or bringing the ball forwards. Not everything he did came off, but his positivity was a rare bright spark for the Foxes.
Marc Albrighton – 5
As always, Albrighton worked diligently on his wing, but he never really got into the game as Leicester looked to counter attack through the middle. He never really had the beating of Blind either, making it a difficult afternoon.
Jamie Vardy – 5
As always he ran and ran, but he did not get any sort of break or opportunity to trouble De Gea. His link up play was very good at times, but the excellent position of Bailly meant that balls over the top were not getting in behind the United defence. His partnership with Slimani will take time as well. Came off at half time.
Islam Slimani – 4
Really poor in the first half as he was on a completely different wavelength to his teammates. His touch was bad at times and he wasn’t connecting with Vardy at all. He improved in the second half when playing on his own, but suffered from being isolated for much of the game.
Subs:
Demarai Gray – 7
A bright spark on a black day for the champions. Gray’s positive running and excellent dribbling almost brought the Foxes back into the game in the second half. His goal (a first for Leicester) was stunning, and he nearly added another with a clever chipped effort from the edge of the penalty area. A very promising display.
Andy King – 6
King wasn’t exceptional in his own performance, but his introduction was vital for a solid second half for the Foxes. He helped Drinkwater and Amartey to shore up the midfield, and missed a good chance to make the score 4-2. Could have a part to play in future if Ranieri opts for another midfielder.
Jeffery Schlupp – 6
A good, positive display from Schlupp, who came on at around the hour mark. He worked hard down the left and his pace caused problems against Valencia, but his impact was fairly limited. He set up a good chance for King, but couldn’t turn the game around for the champions.