United, without Cristiano, stumbled and drifted away from the Champions League

For Manchester United, the only goal that remains this season is complicated: fourth place in the Premier League to play in the next Champions League. Without Cristiano Ronaldo, or Edinson Cavani, the ‘red devils’ would have given up in a draw at Old Trafford against Leicester (1-1) and remain sixth, three points behind an Arsenal visiting Crystal Palace on Monday and there will still be another match pending.

United played without strikers because Cristiano Ronaldo was ill after not training on Friday, while Edinson Cavani, who suffered a muscle injury on Wednesday during the Chile-Uruguay season.

A single shot by Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes, who on Friday renewed until 2026, is United’s most offensive player but has not been comfortable in that position. However, the Portuguese poured the only shot between the three sticks in the early ‘red devils’. It was in the 27th minute when Fred, after intercepting Wesley Fofana’s pass, enabled Bruno Fernandes, whose low shot was kicked by goalkeeper Jasper Schmeichel.

United were dominant but their game was very flat, with no fluidity required to overcome the defensive framework of a Leicester well established on the field but where excessive defeat on the release of the ball hardly allowed him to create danger on two cons culminated in two separate shots by Kelechi Iheanacho (31 ‘) and Harvey Barnes (36’) not finding a goal.

Two goals in three minutes

After the break, Ralf Rangnick tried to stimulate the game by risking replacing Scott McTominay, who was pardoned by the referee for a direct red card (he only showed him a yellow card) for a very hard one. to tackle Maddison), to bring in Marcus Rashford. He continued to play up front, although he was barely noticed, allowing Bruno Fernandes to delay his position (55 ‘).

But Leicester opened the scoring on the counterattack in the 63rd minute with their first shot between three posts. After a steal, Maddison’s cross found United’s defense out of control and Iheanacho went straight into the net. A good goal

Leicester’s joy didn’t last long as United equalized just three minutes later through Fred, who shot from close range after taking advantage of Schmeichel’s rebound after a shot by Bruno Fernandes (66 ‘).

De Gea and VAR saved United

The game is certainly animated but if there is one team that is more assertive to win it is Leicester. Iheanacho had a brace on a long ball but he was left with no angle and his attempt to chip the ball against David De Gea missed him (71 ‘).

Seconds later, the Spanish goalkeeper saved United using one of his usual saves to divert a header from Fofana after a free-kick by Maddison (72 ‘).

VAR also cooperated with United by disallowing Maddison’s goal after a chaotic game in which Iheanacho fouled Raphaël Varane (80 ’).

United came back at the end but, due to the ineffectiveness of Jadon Sancho and Rashford, they lost two crucial points in the race for fourth place and on Monday they could be six behind Arsenal. Leicester climbed to one place and ninth.