MAN UNITED 1, LEICESTER CITY 1
Manchester United’s hopes of a top-four finish were dealt possibly a fatal blow as Leicester City inched ever closer to the Premier League title.
The Reds find themselves four points behind fourth-placed Manchester City with three games left after their slip-up against the Foxes at Old Trafford.
Leicester, however, are within touching distance of becoming champions, something they will achieve if second-placed Tottenham don’t win tomorrow at Chelsea.
In an absorbing game, United enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and chances, but Leicester display the grit to earn a point that extends their lead to eight points over Spurs who have three games remaining.
United enjoyed 71-per-cent possession, had 21 goal attempts to Leicester’s 14. The on-target stat was 6-3 in United’s favour, but they rarely troubled Foxes’ keeper Kasper Schmeichel.
And it is a measure of what the visitors have achieved in this fairytale season that United’s fans gave their players a standing ovation as they left the pitch because the whole nation has embraced their story.
Reds’ manager Louis van Gaal could not fault the effort of his players saying their only failing was the lack of a cutting edge.
He explained: “I have seen one of the best matches of the season from my players, but it was not enough as you have to score when you attack so much and create so many chances in both halves and then concede a set-play goal which is a pity.
“I said we have to win all our games, but we are not closing the gap which is big with only three games left. Mathematically we can do it, but it is difficult.”
Van Gaal added that United ought to have been awarded a penalty for the hair-pulling incident and again called for a video referee pointing out the difficult job match officials have.
“I have been saying this for the 20/30 years I have been in the professional game. This referee (Michael Oliver) is one of the best, but referees cannot do it all my themselves,” he continued.
He added that he hopes Huth is punished and that Fellaini’s reaction was like any human being would have done in the circumstances.
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri was pleased with the point and how his side remained calm after falling behind.
And he added it doesn’t matter when they won the title as long as they do so.
Ranieri also revealed he will miss the Chelsea v Tottenham game as he will be in the air returning from a whistlestop trip back to Italy for lunch with his 96-year-old mother.
United made one change from their Wembley starting line up as Antonio Valencia replaced Tim Fosu-Mensah at right back.
Leicester were unchanged and again without the suspended Jamie Vardy as Leonardo Ulloa was again his understudy as he completed a two-match ban.
United signalled an early intention to delay Leicester’s title procession as they took an eighth-minute lead through Martial.
Jesse Lingard broke from midfield and released Valencia whose cross from the right found Martial at the far corner of the six-yard box as he fired home a low shot for his 15th goal of the season.
And it would have been 2-0 soon after but for a fine save from keeper Kasper Schmeichel low down to keep out a shot from Lingard a Marouane Fellaini head down from a Marcos Rojo cross.
Leicester overcame their early nerves to draw level in the 17th minutes when Morgan, six yard out, headed home a free kick from former United player Drinkwater for the captain and central defender’s second goal of the campaign.
United claimed a penalty when Robert Huth grabbed Fellaini by the hair, though the midfield player’s reaction in lashing out could also see him in hot water with the Football Association.
There was panic in the Leicester defence after a slip by Morgan on half way as Lingard nicked the ball off him to race clear. Danny Simpson chased Lingard as Schmeichel raced out of his area to clear. There were appeal for Simpson’s sending off, but replays indicated no foul as the pair simply jostled for possession.
Leicester went close to taking the lead when Jeff Schlupp’s cross was clawed out from under the bar by David De Gea and moments later they had a penalty appeal rejected after a challenge by Rojo on Riyad Mahrez with replays showing it was a clear spot kick.
And they had another great opening early in the second half when Simpson’s low cross just eluded Shinji Okazaki who was sliding in only five yards out.
Okazaki also went close with a glanced header from Christian Fuchs’ corner as it was kicked to safety as it headed towards goal.
United made their first change just after the hour as Juan Mata replaced Lingard.
Mahrez made a weaving run before unleashing a fierce shot from outside the box that De Gea fisted to safety as Leicester continued their pursuit of the goal that would seal the title.
And with 15 minutes left, Fellaini made way for Ander Herrera as United sought a win to keep alive their top-four hopes.
It almost came for the Reds when Chris Smalling’s header from a Rooney cross clipped the outside of the upright with Schmeichel beaten.
Memphis Depay became United’s last changes with eight minutes left as Marcus Rashford was withdrawn.
Leicester were left to endure a nervous final three minutes and four of added time after Drinkwater was sent off for a second yellow card for tugging back Depay.
They brought on Andy King sacrificing Mahrez to add steel to the midfield. Apart from one scare after an interception ricocheted across the box, when Schmeichel had to be alert to clear the danger, Leicester comfortably saw out the game.