Leicester 1-1 Man United: You utter Schwein

Matt Stead

Jamie Vardy broke that goalscoring record thing as Manchester United held Leicester to a 1-1 draw in the Premier League.

Vardy headed into the game at the King Power Stadium having scored in 10 consecutive matches in the top-flight, equalling a record set by United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2003.

It took just 24 minutes for the 28-year-old to receive his first presentable chance, and he took it with aplomb, firing past David de Gea after Christian Fuchs’ excellent pass found him in space.

United toiled in attack in their search of an equaliser, but finally found the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time, with Bastian Schweinsteiger scoring his first goal since signing in the summer, powering home a header from a Daley Blind corner.

Both sides had opportunities to claim all three points in the second period, but a point leaves the hosts in second behind only Manchester City after 14 games, with United a point and a place behind.

Although they failed to grab all three points, this Leicester performance added further weight to the idea that they could battle for a European place this season, with Vardy excellent again in front of England manager Roy Hodgson.

Hodgson’s captain Wayne Rooney, on the other hand, was substituted in the 68th minute after another poor display.

He was not the only struggling performer in red. United lacked pace, energy and ideas and although they improved in the second half, they should consider themselves lucky to escape with a point.

A rousing build-up which involved a trumpet, some raucous chanting, and a re-run of the highlights from last year’s 5-3 win in the corresponding fixture, whipped the home support into a frenzy.

The Leicester players were up for the occasion too, none more so than Vardy. The striker hunted every red shirt he saw from the first whistle.

Michael Carrick carelessly passed the ball to Vardy deep inside the Leicester half, but he squared to N’Golo Kante and his deflected shot flew wide.

United’s defence was creaking under pressure. Ashley Young entered the book for a cynical foul that prevented the vibrant Riyad Mahrez from breaking away. Mahrez was fouled three times in the opening half. United could simply not deal with the winger’s pace.

The visitors, in contrast, offered little. Rooney had two lame attempts at goal and that was it in the opening stages.

Leicester were well on top and it came as no surprise when they scored. The name of the goalscorer was just as unsurprising.

As soon as Vardy lost Young and raced on to Fuchs’ pass, there was only ever going to be one outcome.

The 28-year-old kept his composure and struck the ball past David de Gea with confidence before being mobbed by his team-mates. It was nothing more than Leicester deserved.

Leicester fans taunted the travelling support. “Louis van Gaal, he sends you to sleep” they chanted with glee.

The United supporters would have been forgiven for nodding off or making an early departure for the M6. Their team were producing absolutely nothing while Leicester were threatening to run riot.

Mahrez went close twice while Rooney fell too easily looking for a penalty.

Then, all of a sudden, United were somehow level.

Danny Drinkwater gave away a corner and Daley Blind whipped in the cross which Schweinsteiger nodded in.

The German almost put United ahead after the break with another close-range header, but Kasper Schmeichel saved.

With Vardy tiring, Leicester were unable to maintain the momentum they had before the break.

They still looked the more threatening side, however. Kante broke and found substitute Leonardo Ulloa, but De Gea saved to keep United in it.

Then, with 22 minutes left Van Gaal put Rooney out of his misery and replaced him with Memphis Depay.

The Dutchman had a superb chance to nick it at the death but he blazed over.