Three things we learned from Manchester United’s rout of Leicester

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Leicester’s defensive problems mounting

The impact of Leicester’s solid and reliable defence in their shock title winning season often goes under the radar courtesy of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez’s prominence in the final third, and N’Golo Kanté’s energy in midfield. The Foxes’ back-line conceded only 36 goals in 38 games last season, but with Claudio Ranieri’s side already tasting defeat for the third time this season, their total for the whole of last campaign, it is now coming under very close scrutiny.

As recent as March and April of 2016 they won five out of six games with 1-0 shutouts in their march towards the title, but on Saturday the picture couldn’t be any different as they shipped four goals in one game for the second time this season and became the first ever defending Premier League champions to ship four goals in one half of football. The alarming issue for Ranieri, who has instilled discipline and organisation to this Leicester side, is the extent to which the Foxes contributed to their own downfall, with three simple goals conceded from corners that could and probably should have been prevented. Mata’s goal in contrast was a touch of brilliance which may have unlocked any defence.

Leicester capitulated from the moment Chris Smalling got above Islam Slimani and breached their resistance, and when Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez were hauled off to be rested ahead of their Champions League meeting with Porto, it was obvious that the game was lost.

Wes Morgan and Robert Huth who worked so effectively together last season are both on the wrong end of the age of 30, and were both at fault for losing their man in the danger area in the run-up to United’s goals. Luis Hernandez did well in his only showing in the Champions League, standing in at Club Brugge for Danny Simpson at right-back who was injured, but as well as missing a protective screen in midfield, a role vacated by the departed N’Golo Kanté, Ranieri may be feeling the effect of not recruiting younger options to his ageing central defence. Either additions will be necessary in January, or the Foxes will need their Kanté replacement, Nampalys Mendy- a player in a very similar mould- back and match fit quickly. Daniel Amartey and Andy King, who both featured at Old Trafford, are good centre-midfield options, but they are not as defensively minded nor as effective in breaking up play and beginning a counterattack, but for Leicester to build on their title success of last season, Ranieri needs to rediscover a winning formula defensively.

Featured Image: All Rights Reserved by Owolabi Marcus.