Leicester:
Louis van Gaal’s difficult start to his time as Manchester United manager continued as Leicester City sensationally came back from 3-1 down to win 5-3 in a remarkable English Premier League encounter here today.
The visitors were on course to give the Dutchman his first away victory and second league win as United manager following last week’s 4-0 thrashing of QPR, another newly-promoted side, at Old Trafford.
Goals from Robin van Persie, Angel di Maria and Ander Herrera had United winning by two goals after an hour.
But David Nugent’s controversial penalty sparked a late revival by the Foxes. Further Leicester goals from Esteban Cambiasso, Jamie Vardy and another penalty, this time from Leonardo Ulloa, his second goal of the game after a first-half effort, exposed the defensive weakness of a United side who had Tyler Blackett sent off in the incident that led to Ulloa’s successful spot-kick.
Both sides matched each other up with a diamond midfield system. Wayne Rooney was in the hole for United with Radamel Falcao making his first start for the club further forward alongside van Persie.
Leicester had Nugent just behind Ulloa and Vardy, who made his first Premier League start.
United took the lead in the 13th minute, Falcao turning Ritchie de Laet down the left before crossing for van Persie who headed in via a deflection off Liam Moore.
Three minutes later came a moment of magic from Argentina winger Di Maria.
United’s British record 59.7 million ($98 million, 75 million euros) signing from Real Madrid collected Rooney’s pass before unleashing a delightful chip from 15 yards that left Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel—son of United shot-stopping great Peter—stranded and revived memories of Karel Poborsky’s scooped effort for the Czech Republic against Portugal at Euro 96.
