WELL, there will be no ego boost for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the FACup after this.The Manchester United boss had downplayed the significance of winningknock-out competitions – then backed up his words by benching his bestplayer, Bruno Fernandes.
Kelechi Iheanacho terrorised United all game and finished with two goalsCredit: Getty
It was a real head-in-hands game for United boss Ole Gunnar SolskjaerCredit: Paul Marriott
And the result was a comprehensive defeat by an outstanding Leicesterside, who booked their first FA Cup semi-final for 39 years thanks toa double from their in-form striker Kelechi Iheanacho.
It was United’s first domestic away defeat for 14 months and it was ahorror show for midfield man Fred, as well as skipper Harry Maguire,who produced a car-crash showing on his return to the King Power.
Solskjaer had claimed that league form is the true measure of progressand that winning Cups can often be used to boost managerial egoes -and we all wondered which Portuguese predecessor of his he could havebeen referring to.
But, really, after four semi-final defeats in the past two seasons,who was he trying to kid?
When the winners of this quarter-final were paired with Southamptonduring the half-time draw for the semis, both would have come outsmiling, knowing they have thrashed the Saints 9-0 in the recent past.
Yet Leicester dominated for the opening hour, Iheanacho benefittingfrom a horrible mix-up between Maguire and Fred, then Youri Tielemansnetting a classy second after Mason Greenwood’s equaliser.
The Foxes weathered a brief storm after the introduction of Fernandes,before Iheanacho wrapped it up, unmarked from a set-piece to sum upUnited’s dozy overall performance.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has never reached a major Cup Final inEnglish football – with semi-final defeats against Aston Villa withboth Liverpool and Leicester.
United were all at sea after Fred’s shocking pass presented the ball to IheanachoCredit: AFP
Iheanacho is in brilliant form and proved too hot for United to handleCredit: Reuters
But he will fancy his chances now. Despite a raft of injuries,Leicester are enjoying a hell of a season – on roure for ChampionsLeague qualification and an FA Cup Final.
Solskajer had taken the bold move of benching his great creativeinfluence Fernandes, giving a rare start to Donny Van de Beek – akaVan de Bench – at the front of a midfield diamond.
The United boss also dropped his in-form left-back Luke Shaw – newlyrestored to the England squad.
Rodgers was ballsy from the off, with a front three of Jamie Vardy,Iheanacho and Ayoze Perez.
And Vardy had the first clear sight on goal after 17 minutes forcingDean Henderson to plunge and push out a shot after Fred sloppilyconceded possession to Iheanacho.
United’s defence – and Fred – discuss the shocking error that led to the game’s opening goalCredit: Getty
Then another Fred slip and Vardy was bursting forward again – thistime having a shock blocked by his old mate Harry Maguire.
And on 25 minutes, the third scoring opportunity of the match – andthe third provided by a Fred mishap – brought the opening goal.
As United attempted to play it out of their own area, Maguire sentsomething of a hospital ball to Fred – under pressure from Tielemans.
The Brazilian panicked with a weak back-pass, snapped up by Iheanachowho rounded Henderson to tap home.
It was a shocker for United but Iheanacho’s sixth goal in four gameswas no more than Leicester deserved for the tempo and intent of theirplay.
Mason Greenwood some hope when he equalled things up in the first halfCredit: Paul Marriott
Maguire was then booked for bringing down Iheanacho, who had kipperedhim on the edge of the box.
United were floundering in defence and devoid of inspiration goingforward – until they suddenly levelled on 38 minutes.
Paul Pogba neatly turned Wesley Fofana on the left and his centre wasdummied by Van de Beek, allowing Greenwood to lash home first time.
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Youri Tielemans scored the goal of the game to fire Leicester 2-0 aheadCredit: Getty
Solskjaer almost looked embarrassed, such had been the paucity of hisside’s play until that point.
After another wildly mistimed attempt at a tackle from Fred, Perezcurled a powerful shot narrowly wide.
After the break, Leicester were straight back at United’s throats.
Tielemans drove forward, exchanged passes with Iheanacho, taking out asluggish Nemanja Matic in the process then steering home pastHenderson from the edge of the box.
There had been a failed attempt at a tackle from – you guessed it – Fred.
20 – Alongside Sergio Agüero (21), Kelechi Ịheanachọ is the only other player within the English game to have netted 20+ goals across the two domestic cup competitions since his debut for Manchester City in August 2015 (12 in the FA Cup, 8 in the League Cup). Leading. https://t.co/NlebcmNO2X— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 21, 2021
Alex Telles thundered a shot narrowly wide as United showed a littleattacking intent.
But Vardy should have buried United soon after, Wilfried Ndidi winningpossession, Iheanacho releasing last season’s Golden Boot winner, whoskinned Maguire but shot wide and kicked the goal-post in frustration.
Vardy has scored just once since Christmas, the idea that he carriesthis team is old hat.
Then a quadruple substitution from Solskajer – Fernandes, Shaw, ScottMcTominay and Edinson Cavani on for Pogba, Telles, Matic and Van deBeek – Fred somehow escaping the cull.
Iheanacho sealed Leicester’s safe passage into the FA Cup semi-finalsCredit: Reuters
United instantly livened up – Fernandes pinging crossfield balls, Shawrampaging, McTominay commanding and Cavani menacing.
But after they’d enjoyed their best spell of the match, United fellasleep at a set-piece and conceded the third.
Marc Albrighton delivered the free-kick from the left and Iheanachosnuck in behind McTominay and beyond the far post, to head home.
The Foxes are on their way to Wembley – as United look to end afour-year trophy drought, it is the Europa League or bust.
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Mason Greenwood did his bit by scoring – sadly his team-mates were well off the paceCredit: Getty
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