Match Report: Man United 2-1 Leicester City | OneFootball

Manchester United beat Leicester City 2-1 in dramatic fashion to move into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

The Red Devils started off in slow fashion as the visitors saw the majority of the ball.

The first shot arrived after six minutes when a speculative long ball by Leicester was chased down by Patson Daka and he laid the ball off for Jordan Ayew, who fired right at Andre Onana.

United knocked the ball around a bit and new signing Patrick Dorgu got into a dangerous area but nothing came of the attack.

Dorgu sprung into life out wide when he latched onto a long ball and broke towards the Foxes’ goal, but it was cleared for a corner.

More good work from the January signing resulted in a free kick on the 21st minute which was laid off for Amad but his shot was blocked and it looped over the net harmlessly.

United picked up the pace and a clever backheel from Amad landed to Dorgu outside the box. He made good contact but it flew over the crossbar from his weaker foot.

The home side created another half chance moments later when a clever free kick over the top was almost reached by Rasmus Hojlund but he just could not make contact, as the ball bounced back to the grateful visiting keeper.

Leicester then threatened after 26 minutes when Ayew dropped into space and played a beautiful ball to Bobby de Cordova-Reid, who fired over from a tough angle.

There were audible groans from the home crowd when on 30 minutes, Kobbie Mainoo had the ball on the half-turn but decided to pass the ball back when he could have pushed forward in an action that perfectly encapsulated United’s first half hour.

United had a brief moment of excitement when a looping corner by Amad dropped towards the Leicester goal and keeper Mads Hermansen looked uncomfortable and dropped the ball but he soon gathered before one of Ruben Amorim’s side could reach the ball.

Disaster struck for the home side yet again when Bilal El Khannouss latched onto a mistake from Manuel Ugarte and he crossed the ball for Wilfred Ndidi. The returning Leicester man fired right at Onana but the rebound was put in by Cordova-Reid as Old Trafford experienced a familiar sinking feeling.

United mustered no response and there were boos ringing around Old Trafford as the United players trudged into the dressing room after their latest turgid effort.

Dorgu was taken off, unsurprisingly as her only joined the club this week, and Alejandro Garnacho came on to replace him. The second half started well when Yoro broke into midfield and passed the ball to Hojlund who ran at the Leicester defence but his cross was cut out before it reached Mainoo.

Despite the increased intensity, the visitors went on the attack and El Khannouss ran into space as United backed off but fired a tame shot wide.

United came back with an effort of their own but similarly, Noussair Mazraoui fired wide from distance.

On 56 minutes, United raised their intensity as Garnacho took on the Leicester full back but his cross was well blocked by the visitors.

The home side created by far their best chance when Ugarte played in Garnacho and his shot was deflected over the keeper but Caleb Okoli made a monstrous defensive clearance off the line onto the crossbar to sensationally deny the Argentine.

United got their reward when the lively Garnacho broke away and crossed to Rasmus Hojlund. The Dane saw his effort blocked, but the ball fell perfectly for Joshua Zirkzee who side-footed into an empty net to pull Amorim’s side level.

On 74 minutes, Amad went on a marauding run down the right hand side and played a good ball across goal, but it was just missed by Zirkzee and Garnacho, who failed to make contact when it mattered most.

Leicester then broke on the counter from a corner gone wrong but Mazraoui tracked back well and made a great last-ditch tackle.

Just before the 80 minute mark, United very much with their tail up, once again broke down the left hand side and a great one-two between Diogo Dalot and Garnacho resulted in the winger being played in. However, he took the wrong decision as he fired the ball into the side netting when he should have squared to Rasmus Hojlund.

The home side kept up the pressure and on 88 minutes, Manuel Ugarte pinged a fine ball across the area and Garnacho controlled well and cut in but his shot was right at the Leicester keeper.

United pushed for a late winner and in the 93rd minute they got their reward as a wonderful free kick delivery by Fernandes was headed home by an unmarked Harry Maguire to put the Red Devils into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Starting XI: Onana, Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Mazraoui, Dorgu, Ugarte, Fernandes, Amad, Mainoo, Hojlund Subs:Garnacho, Zirkzee, Casemiro Featured image Gareth Copley via Getty Images

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