Welcome back to the start of the new season. My beloved Manchester United had a horrible transfer window introducing just 3 new faces in Fred from Shaktar Donestk, Diogo Dalot was acquired from Porto with Lee Grant from Stoke City completing the trio. If it is any consolation, Tottenham Hotspur did not sign any player though they boast of a solid squad but maybe not much strength in depth. Dalot is already out injured and Grant surely is a back up to reserve Goalkeeper Sergio Romero who got injured just before the World Cup and the United fans can breathe easy knowing David De Gea is going to be the man in goal, at least for this season. Fred however might be deployed on a regular but I am happy Andreas Pereira isn’t going on loan this term.
I had predicted another 2nd place posting for United about 2 weeks before the season kicked off and this was because I believed it was going to be a busy transfer window, yeah it was busy with the speculations and rumours but none of the players linked to the club after the acquisition of Lee Grant were gotten.
This game against Leicester was one I expected United to win but I did not expect a goal as early as the 3rd minute. Leicester full back Daniel Amartey handled the ball in the box after 72 seconds of play to hand the Red Devils the advantage from the penalty spot. Newly named team captain, Paul Pogba stepped up to lead by example burying the spot kick with finesse. 1-0 in favour of United and all I was expecting was the Red Devils to dominate afterwards. I thought wrong, the Foxes not only had most of the possession, they also deserved to equalize and even go ahead but unfortunately for them De Gea had put behind his horrible World Cup showing to pull off a couple of saves. Eric Bailly also proved to be a tough hurdle for the Foxes. United went into the break with a 1 nil lead.
United had a better second half when compared to the first though there were a couple of scares from some of Leicester’s attacks. Demarai Gray causing problems. Newly acquired Rachid Ghezzal and Jamie Vardy who just extended his contract with a 4 year deal were introduced in the second half for Leicester but could not change the scoreline. Romelu Lukaku had the chance to wrap things up for United in the 67th minute, 11 minutes after he was brought on. He was set up by Alexis Sanchez in the 78th minute but Kasper Schmeichel did enough to make a solid save. Fullback Luke Shaw was however able to ease the tension after coolly finishing a cross from Juan Mata cross to put United 2 up. It was his first goal for Manchester United.
Jamie Vardy scored a consolatory goal in the 92nd minute for Leicester City to end the game 2-1.
Eric Bailly was my man of the match though David De Gea was not far off for me.
There shall be no BANTER today, we, MOVE….. Up next is a trip to East Sussex to face Brighton & Hove Albion.
Thanks for your time guys.
