MANCHESTER UNITED moved a step closer to sealing third place – and keeping themselves in with a sniff of the title – with a routine win over Leicester.
The Red Devils ran out 3-0 winners at Old Trafford thanks to a brace from Marcus Rashford and a second-half strike from Jadon Sancho.
Victory over the Foxes has seen United stretch their lead over fourth-placed Newcastle to eight points, although the Magpies do have a game in hand on them.
Folllowing an impressive win for United, SunSport’s Martin Blackburns rates the performances turned in by Erik ten Hag’s troops.
David de Gea
Made a brilliant early save with his legs to deny Barnes early on and also clawed out a header from Iheanacho. Those saves proved vital as United got a grip on the game. 7
Diogo Dalot
Stretched to get on the end of Fernandes’ cross but somehow diverted it just wide – showing why he has still never scored a Premier League goal. Did his bit defensively, though. 6
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Lisandro Martinez
A thumping header from a Shaw free-kick hit the top of the bar early in the second half – and eventually got to grips with Iheanacho and Barnes after a testing opening. 7
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Victor Lindelof
Stepped in so Varane could have a breather. Diverted Iheanacho’s effort wide of post early on and a couple of vital clearances to keep United in control. 7
Luke Shaw
Curled a free-kick over the bar and put one on the head of Martinez, which the Argentine put against the bar. Could even have had a goal himself as United took control after the break. 7
Marcel Sabizter
Won the ball off Faes to set the wheels in motion for the opener. Has filled in well for Casemiro while the Brazilian has been suspended but may make way at Wembley on Sunday. 6
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Fred
Made a great clearance under his own bar from a Tete cross and played Rashford in for his second with a superb pass before making way for McTominay just before the hour. 6
Marcus Rashford
Pushed further up front and showed why with a clinical first half finish. Repeated the trick after the break to make it 24 for the season. Even had a hand in the build-up to number three. What a season he is having. 9
Bruno Fernandes
Played a super ball to Rashford for the opener and a lovely cross which Dalot bundled wide. Also created the third for Sancho. Some real moments of class from the Portuguese international who helped lift his team from a lacklustre start. 8
Alejandro Garnacho
Just a fourth Prem start for the exciting teen, but this wasn’t his day. He skied an effort over the bar but did not reappear after the break with Sancho taking his place. 5
Wout Weghorst
Playing as a No10 but was moved further up after the interval, although he could not find the goal he needs. Tried a spectacular overhead kick soon after the break but his radar was off and he fluffed a couple of late chances. 5
SUBS
Sancho (for Garnacho 46 mins)
Looked really sharp as a half-time sub and proved it by converting Fernandes’ cross for the third. 7
McTominay (for Fred 59 mins)
Came on at 2-0 with the game more or less won and kept United on the front foot. 5
Elanga (for Rashford 68)
Replaced the man of the moment but did not get a sight of goal. 5
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Wan-Bissaka (for Shaw 68 mins
Put one on a plate for Weghorst but he couldn’t finish it off. 5
Mainoo (for Sabitzer 80 mins)
Made a brilliant tackle to deny Maddison a shot. 6
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk