Manchester United 3-0 Leicester: What Were The Key Talking Points As Marcus Rashford Inspires United To A Rampant Victory At Old Trafford?

While Manchester United could have been facing a potential banana skin on Sunday afternoon, the Premier League giants put in a rampant display at Old Trafford as they claimed a 3-0 victory against Leicester.

With the red-hot Marcus Rashford bagging yet another brace on either side of the half-time break, Jadon Sancho then wrapped up a hugely impressive win for Erik ten Hag’s side.

Only further widening their buffer in the top-four chase, United have only continued to shine since returning from the World Cup’s winter break.

With some in their camp even starting to believe that a stunning title charge could be on the cards, United also dragged Leicester back down to earth following the Foxes’ February flurry.

Picking up some perfect momentum before they turn their attention back to Europa League duties in midweek, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Sunday’s battle at Old Trafford.

Can anyone stop Marcus Rashford?

With constant speculation last summer regarding Rashford’s long-term future at Old Trafford, few across Europe would have expected what has become a stunning purple patch for the 25-year-old.

Bagging three World Cup strikes over the winter as England reached the World Cup quarter-finals, Rashford has only continued on a remarkable free-scoring run since returning from the festive interval.

Finding the net as Manchester United played out a thrilling 2-2 draw away at Spanish giants Barcelona earlier in the week, ten Hag’s attacking talisman is certainly in the form of his young career.

Recording yet another Premier League brace here and gaining a string of plaudits from across the footballing world, Rashford has now notched 16 post-World Cup strikes across all competitions.

With the Old Trafford hierarchy making it their top priority to get their homegrown superstar tied down to a bumped new deal in Manchester, the England ace once again underlined his status on Sunday afternoon.

Riding what has been a famous wave of momentum over the past couple of months, United’s MVP has quickly become one of Europe’s most clinical striking stars.

Can Manchester United really mount a title charge?

While Manchester United might have opened the 2022/23 campaign in the midst of a public struggle, the Premier League giants have come roaring back in some style.

Really hitting the ground since returning from the World Cup’s winter break and with the mood around Old Trafford at the highest it has been in recent memory, ten Hag deserves a string of plaudits.

Booking their spot in the final of this year’s EFL Cup and with a showdown against Newcastle fast approaching this weekend, the former Ajax boss could now be dreaming of what would be an iconic title charge.

Watching Manchester City drop a pair of points in their 1-1 draw away at Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon, United suddenly find themselves sitting just five points adrift of Arsenal and really starting to crank up the heat.

With ten Hag within just 90 minutes of securing United’s first piece of silverware since 2017 when under Jose Mourinho, the Red Devils also picked up some key momentum ahead on Thursday’s heavyweight Europa League battle.

Eventually playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw away at the Nou Camp earlier in the week, ten Hag will be calling on his superstars to finish off the job at Old Trafford.

Leicester come crashing back down to earth

Putting in what was a season-best display last weekend as they cruised their way to a 4-1 romp at home against Tottenham, Leicester would have been desperate to cause another major upset on Sunday afternoon.

However, while Brendan Rodgers’ side might have made the trip to Old Trafford after securing back-to-back Premier League victories, the Foxes failed to make much of an impact here.

Blown away in Manchester and not asking any real questions of David de Gea’s goal, the one-time Liverpool boss will be calling on his side to show that Sunday’s 3-0 loss was nothing more than a minor blip.

Nevertheless, although Leicester had managed to find a much-needed clinical edge since opening February, Rodgers’ side certainly came crashing back down to earth and they’re still firmly looking over their shoulder.

Watching the likes of Bournemouth, Everton and Southampton all pick up their own essential victories on Saturday afternoon, there could once again be some growing pressure on Rodgers’ shoulders.

Holding just a four-point buffer over slipping into the drop zone, Leicester face another stern test next weekend when they welcome Arsenal to the King Power.

Match Report

Manchester United: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw, Sabitzer, Fred, Fernandes, Weghorst, Garnacho, Rashford

Subs: Sancho, Wan-Bissake, McTominay, Elanga, Mainoo

Leicester: Ward, Castagne, Souttar, Faes, Kristiansen, Mendy, Dewsbury-Hall, Barnes, Maddison, Tete, Iheanacho

Subs: Praet, Soumare, Vardy, Tielemans

Goals: Rashford (25′, 56′), Sancho (61′)

Yellow Cards: Faes, Mendy

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Stuart Attwell