Manchester United 2, Leicester City 1 – FA Cup 4th Round
Harry Maguire popped up right at the end of a tight FA Cup encounter with Leicester City with an injury time header to win it.
Alejandro Garnacho’s introduction at half time turned around a 4th Round encounter that looked in danger of going Leicester’s way after the Foxes scored late in the first half through Bobby Decordova-Reid.
But the Argentine introduced pace and guile into a flat United side and he helped the Reds equalise through Joshua Zirkzee before the big defender popped up right at the end to deny the visitors Extra Time.
After 42 minutes of poor football, edged by Leicester, the Foxes took the lead after the comedy of errors by United finally cost them a goal.
Manuel Ugarte lost the ball in midfield and Bilal El Khannouss’s cutback from the left was smashed goalwards by an unmarked Wilfried Ndidi who had ghosted into the box unimpeded by United’s static midfield.
Andre Onana made the save with his foot but the rebound was nodded home from close range by Bobby De Cordova-Reid who was lurking close by.
Patrick Dorgu, the feted left wing back, had been bizarrely started in the right wing, was sacrificed at the break for Alejandro Garnacho.
After 65 minutes United thought they had equalised when Alejandro Garnacho was released by Manuel Ugarte to run at Mads Hermansen who missed the rising shot but the Caleb Okoli got back to clear the ball off the line via underside of his own crossbar
But 3 minutes later Joshua Zirkzee, who had only just come on, had an easy tap in from 8 yards after Alejandro Garnacho cutback found Rasmus Hojlund whose shot was blocked by Wout Faes and the loose ball fell kindly for him.
Leicester had two chances to score but United managed to tackle Bilal El Khannouss before he could clear the last defender.
And in the last minute of stoppage time Harry Maguire headed in Bruno Fernandes’ free kick to save United from another 30 minutes of toil.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 2, Leicester City 1 – FA Cup 4th Round
Andre Onana: 6. Tested early by a long range shot by Jordan Ayew.
Noussair Mazraoui: 7. Took the place of the injured Lisandro Martinez at left centre back. Got back to tackle Bilal Khannouss as was running free.
Harry Maguire: 7. Late tackle to deny Bilal Khannouss a run on goal. And scored a massive header to win it.
Leny Yoro: 6. Had to be on the lookout for Jordan Ayew – passing was poor.
Diogo Dalot: 6. Somehow still stuck at left wing back after United signed a specialist left wing back and played him on the right!
Manuel Ugarte: 6. Gave away the ball that led to the Leicester opening goal.
Bruno Fernandes: 7. Sat deeper in midfield to orchestrate things. Free kick midway through first half deserved a finish from Rasmus Hojlund. Free kick generated the winning header from Harry Maguire.
Patrick Dorgu: 6. Started on the right, one decent fast break after a loose Leicester pass and a shot over the bar after a backheel by Amad.
Amad Diallo: 6. Gave Luke Thomas something to think about and found a few openings without much success. Switched to right wing back after the break and still looked decent.
Kobbie Mainoo: 6. Back to a number 10 role for him but didn’t spot the danger as Wilfried Ndidi’s late run into the box saw him in plenty of space to create the first half goal.
Rasmus Hojlund: 6. Well marked by Leicester defenders. Couldn’t get on the end of Bruno Fernandes’ clever free kick, hardly any touches but at least he got to stretch his legs in the second half and when his shot was blocked by Wout Faes
Alejandro Garnacho (on for Patrick Dorgu, 46): 7. Straight on in a wide left role in front of Diogo Dalot and added energy – thought he had scored but definitely laid on the equaliser. Had a shot saved late in the game too.
Joshua Zirkzee (on for Kobbie Mainoo, 64): 7. Tap in to level the game for shot shy United. Pressed well too.
Casemiro (on for Manuel Ugarte, 90+4): No time to mark
GOALS – Manchester United 2, Leicester City 1 – FA Cup 4th Round
Man Utd 0, Leicester City 1: 42. Bilal El Khannouss’s cutback was smashed goalwards by an unmarked Wilfried Ndidi who ghosted into the box – Andre Onana made the save with his foot but the rebound was nodded home from close range by Bobby De Cordova-Reid
Man Utd 1, Leicester City 1: 68. Joshua Zirkzee had an easy tap in from 8 yards after Alejandro Garnacho cutback found Rasmus Hojlund whose shot was blocked by Wout Faes and the loose ball fell kindly for him.
Man Utd 2, Leicester City 1: 90+3. Bruno Fernandes’ deep free kick was headed by Harry Maguire at the back post. Suspicion of offside but with no VAR in the game the goal stood.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 2, Leicester City 1 – FA Cup 4th Round
Man Utd: Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro, Dalot, Ugarte (Casemiro 90+4), Fernandes (C), Dorgu (Garnacho 46), Amad, Mainoo (Zirkzee 64), Hojlund
Man Utd Subs not used: Graczyk, Lindelof, De Ligt, Eriksen, Heaven, Collyer
Booking: Ugarte 84 (foul on Harry Winks)
Goals: Zirkzee 68; Maguire 90+3
Leicester City: Hermansen, Justin, Faes, Okoli, Thomas (Coulibaly 57), Ndidi (C) (Winks 57), Soumare, J Ayew, El Khannouss, De Cordova-Reid (McAteer 72), Daka (Buonanotte 81)
Leicester City Subs not used: Stolarcyzk, Coady, Mavididi, Skipp, Monga
Goal: De Cordova-Reid 42
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Attendance: 73,693