Manchester United v Leicester City: Premier League

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Half time: Man Utd 1-0 Leicester City

United lead through another ruthless finish from Marcus Rashford, but the scoreline flatters them a touch. Leicester were the smoother side, with James Maddison to the fore, and David de Gea had to make two seriously good saves to deny Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho.

Updated at 09.50 EST

45+2 min Faes is booked for an absurd lunge at Fernandes.

45+1 min After a poor ball from Fred, Maddison cracks a drive wide of the near post from 22 yards. De Gea had it covered.

45 min Two minutes of added time. United have been a bit more comfortable defensively in the last 15 minutes or so, though Leicester do still look dangerous.

44 min Weghorst declines the opportunity to put Garnacho through on goal. He thought Garnacho was offside, but Gary Neville, commentating on Sky, thinks Faes was playing him on.

41 min Fred flattens his teammate Rashford with an errant long-range drive. Rashford’s fine, but Faes is down. He was caught on the shin by Sabitzer’s studs, a pretty poor challenge for which Sabitzer should at least have been booked. It wasn’t a particularly forceful tackle, which is why VAR didn’t get involved, but it still wasn’t great.

Updated at 09.43 EST

41 min Garnacho has been very quiet, as he often is when he starts a game. Mind you, you could say the same of all the United attackers bar maybe Fernandes. Even Rashford has been peripheral apart from the goal.

40 min I think Alexandra Ashton has settled the ten Hag debate, or should I say Ten Hag.

“According to the Modern Language Association Style Manual: ‘Particles in Dutch surnames—such as van, van den, van der, de, and ter—are lowercased in prose when the whole name is given. When using only the last name, capitalize the particle.’ So, Ten Hag, Van Dijk, but Erik ten Hag, Virgil van Dijk.”

39 min Barnes plays a neat one-two with Maddison in the area but then lobs his cross over the head of Iheanacho at the far post. Leicester are playing through United so easily.

37 min: Sound the comedy-miss klaxon! Diogo Dalot has missed from six yards. He started the move himself, surging infield and finding Fernandes on the right side of the area. Fernandes shaped a beautiful cross back towards Dalot, who went with his wrong foot, the right, and poked the ball wide of the far post.

Diogo Dalot of Manchester United reacts after missing an opportunity. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Updated at 09.51 EST

36 min Leicester continue to probe, and Weghorst has to make an excellent sliding tackle on Iheanacho in the D. The goal hasn’t really changed the pattern of the game; if anything, it has cemented it.

34 min “The problem is often caused by an auto-correct function that insists on capitalising initials,” says Piers Spence, “but the ‘V’ in van Dijk is otherwise only capitalised by people who don’t know any better.”

Ah, well. Now. This is from the Guardian style guide. But then, this is the Guardian.

Van Gogh, Vincent(1853-90) Dutch artist; note that as with most Dutch names it is Van Gogh when just the surname is used (a Van Gogh masterpiece) but van Gogh with the forename (a masterpiece by Vincent van Gogh)

32 min Fernandes’s free-kick is only half cleared to Garnacho, who launches a snapshot into orbit from the edge of the area. He had time to take a touch there.

31 min Tete’s crossfield pass finds Maddison on the left edge of the area. He flicks it back to the onrushing Dewsbury-Hall, who sweeps a shot wide of the far post.

This isn’t news, but James Maddison really is a class act. In my painfully humble opinion, he’s good enough for any team in the world.

James Maddison of Leicester City with Victor Lindelöf of Manchester United behind him. Photograph: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC/Getty Images

Updated at 09.54 EST

30 min “Casemiro,” says Jeff Sax, “should not have tried to strangle someone.”

It was just physical banter. (But seriously, I thought he was a bit unlucky to be sent off.)

27 min “Echo all the plaudits for this superlative series,” says, erm, Mammillaria Hahniana of Mr Inbetween. “Amazed it didn’t get picked up by a mainstream broadcaster in UK. I wonder which Prem manager’s post-match interview technique is inspired Ray’s ‘I don’t answer questions’ to the coppers?”

I’ll give you a clue: he’s also bald.

26 min The scoreline is a travesty, not that United will care.

It was another clinical finish. Souttar tried to play offside at the wrong moment, which meant Rashford was comfortably onside as he ran onto Fernandes’s pass from the right. Rashford slowed down to get his bearings, considered a pass across goal to Garnacho – and then rammed the ball into the far corner.

Updated at 09.29 EST

GOAL! Man Utd 1-0 Leicester (Yep 25)

Marcus Rashford’s purple patch continues!

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford scores their side’s first goal of the game. Photograph: Nick Potts/PARashford celebrates. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images

Updated at 09.52 EST

24 min Maddison is holding his groin, which is a big concern for Leicester. He’s been terrific in the first quarter of the game.

22 min “I gave ten Hag (the ‘t’ not capitalised, as it’s his proper name, so that language’s conventions are used and not ours) a pass for pretty much sticking to his starting XI through that three-game cup stretch in January,” says Eric Peterson. “They went into that stretch winless in two games against Crystal Palace and Arsenal (ohh, what a game that was!).

“Plus, Manchester United were still only a month removed from the impact of purging that toxin that was present-day Cristiano Ronaldo from the club. They were at a point in getting their squad to mesh together that most teams reach in September and October. And now here they are, on the heels of an extraordinary first leg against Barcelona and unbeaten since that Arsenal game. Hindsight tells me Casemiro and the rest of the first squad needed to play more than they needed to rest – one more tough decision that ten Hag has absolutely nailed.”

I completely (and politely) disagree. More importantly, is that right re: ten Hag? If so, why is Van Dijk capitalised when we only use his surname?

21 min See 14 min.

20 min: Another great save from de Gea! Leicester continue to create chance. Castagne gets to the byline and flips a cross towards the unmarked Iheanacho beyond the far post. His downward header zips off the turf and is clawed away to his right, Inspector Gadget-style, by de Gea. Brilliant save.

19 min “I don’t think you can compare the situation of United with that of Newcastle,” says Mark Rossell. “United have, as i understand it, a much more powerful and vociferous Supporters ‘Union’ and the FA might find it harder to let that deal go through as they did with Newcastle. Newcastle fans were just so fed up and desirous of better days, that most were acquiescent, cynical, & indifferent (to sportswashing), but United fans want their club back, and will put up a bigger fight. will be interesting to see how it all pans out.”

I’d love to share your optimism. Anyway, let’s talk about something else; it’s too depressing.

18 min Tete cuts inside Lindelof on the right of the area and wallops a cross shot that just evades Barnes at the far post. Leicester are the better team here.

16 min “Here’s hoping Garnacho has a better game as starter than he did against Leeds,” says Adam Roberts. “I’d like to see Pellistri given more game time – he looks very promising.”

I agree, he’s looked really sparky whenever I’ve seen him for United or Uruguay. At this stage Garnacho is much better as a substitute, isn’t he.

15 min Tete runs at Lindelof and clips a dangerous cross that is kicked behind by Fred, facing his own goal. Good defending.

14 min This game is really open, and yes this is the bit where I mention the absence of Casemiro.

13 min “Mr. Inbetween is indeed superb, the best series on TV during its three series run,” says Michael Guest. “I read a very nice story that Dame Helen Mirren and her husband watched it, and enjoyed it so much that they sent it to their agent, who then agreed to represent creator/writer/star Scott Ryan.

“Ryan has, as far as I know, only ever played Ray ‘The Magician’ Shoesmith in Mr. Inbetween and the preceding film The Magician and has no other roles on his CV.”

Yep, that’s right. And he’s fantastic! I think that’s why there was such a gap, 15-odd years, between The Magician and Mr Inbetween, because every TV company wanted somebody else to play Ray.

10 min: Chance for Leicester! Maddison pokes a nice pass through to Iheanacho, who moves into the area but then mishits a shot that hits the sliding Lindelof and dribbles just wide of the near post.

Iheanacho’s first touch was poor, which made the angle much tighter, and the second wasn’t a classic either.

Updated at 09.11 EST

10 min The resulting corner is headed over by Souttar, a half chance, and then Rashford has a volley blocked at the other end. This is a cracking start to the game.

8 min: Great save by de Gea! Leicester have started to play. Fred gives the ball to Barnes on the halfway line, and he runs 30 yards before finding Iheanacho on the edge of the D. Iheanacho returns the ball to Barnes, who zooms through a small gap and into the area. He takes the shot very early, and de Gea shows brilliant reflexes to thrust out his right hand and push the ball behind for a corner.

Updated at 09.11 EST

7 min Castagne gets away down the right and slides a low cross that is cleared by the off balance Sabitzer. That was an important touch because Leicester had a number of players forward.

6 min “I’m going to enjoy this one,” says Shane Oleary. “Two slickly aggressive teams and I don’t care who wins, although a United win would annoy Pep… So, come on United!”

The Premier League got to you as well.

5 min Sabitzer wins possession high up the field, with the ball ricocheting to Rashford on the right side of the area. He rattles an early shot that hits Souttar (I think) and goes behind for a corner. Nothing comes of it.

4 min United have made a bright and breezy start, with most of the game taking pace in the Leicester half at the moment.

2 min Fernandes wins an early corner. Shaw takes, Souttar heads away.

1 min United have started, as expected, with Wout Weghorst as the No10, Marcus Rashford up front and Bruno Fernandes roaming from the right.

1 min Peep peep!

The players are in the tunnel, the Stone Roses are on the tannoy. It’s time for business.

“England has shown that only money counts,” says Jeff Sax, “and they will find a way to let Qatar buy Man Utd … just like they let Saudi Arabia buy Newcastle. Enjoy the game.”

Well, I was hoping to until that email.

Updated at 09.02 EST

“Nice to see Ten Hag not moaning about United having less recovery time ahead of this fixture than their opponents,” says Rick Harris. “ That said it is clearly an advantage for Leicester that United had to play just 65 hours ago in Spain against the La Liga leaders. If United do take the three points then they are definitely in the title race.”

You have to think the schedule will catch up with United eventually. My one criticism of ten Hag this season (should I cap up the T, as with Van Dijk, when I don’t use his first name?) is that he didn’t rotate enough in the easier cup games. Casemiro v Reading FHS.

“Mr Inbetween…what a show!” says Ronan O’Brien. “I thought I was the only one that appreciated it.”

It might be my favourite show since the Sopranos. And as somebody who aspires to write something decent one day, the story behind it is really inspiring – no artistic compromise at all, married with a complete lack of pretension.

United have two huge games coming up: Barcelona in the Europa League on Thursday, then Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final a week today. Here are a few appetite whetters from the archive.

“Funny how Maddison is a critical darling, as opposed to another player (Mr Martial) who also pops up for a time, does well, but then is injured for twice as long,” says Duncan Edwards. “On that note, if Martial is fit to face Barca next week will, indeed should, Ten Hag keep him instead for the Carabao final?”

That’s a bit harsh on Maddison – he played 53 games like season! I think he’s pretty wonderful. As for Martial, goodness knows: it sounds like he hasn’t been 100 per cent fit all season, so I suspect he’ll be on the bench at best. I would start Rashford up front against Barcelona; not sure about Newcastle as they will defend deep, but then Wembley is a biggish pitch.

A word from the managers

This is a terrific interview with Leicester’s new centre-back Harry Souttar, who has been through extreme emotions in the past six months: he starred at the World Cup, and got a move to the Premier League, but those career highs` were overshadowed by the death of his brother Aaron from motor neurone disease.

On the vague subject of Australia and motor neurone disease, I cannot recommend the TV show Mr Inbetween highly enough. The performance of Nicholas Cassim, who plays somebody with MND, is among the best acting I’ve ever seen.

Updated at 08.34 EST

Imagine going downhill from the Glazers

Team news

Erik ten Hag makes five changes from the draw in Barcelona on Thursday. Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, Marcel Sabitzer and Alejandro Garnacho replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro and Jadon Sancho.

Leicester, as you’d expect of a team in such sparkling form, are unchanged.

Manchester United (possible 4-2-3-1) de Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw; Sabitzer, Fred; Fernandes, Weghorst, Garnacho; Rashford.Substitutes: Heaton, Malacia, Varane, Wan-Bissaka, Mainoo, McTominay, Pellistri, Elanga, Sancho.

Leicester City (4-2-3-1) Ward; Castagne, Souttar, Faes, Kristiansen; Mendy, Dewsbury-Hall; Tete, Maddison, Barnes; Iheanacho.Substitutes: Iverson, Ricardo, Amartey, Ndidi, Soumare, Tielemans, Praet, Daka, Vardy.

Referee Craig Pawson.

Preamble

Right, are Manchester United in this title race or what? They’re eight points behind the leaders Arsenal, but if they beat Leicester today they’ll be only three behind Manchester City – the team who most people regard as favourites to win the league.

Most logic, and all instinct, suggests it’s too much, too soon, especially with a thinning squad and an imminent fixture pile-up. Even so, it’s an extraordinary achievement from Erik ten Hag to have United sitting comfortably in third, especially after such a diabolical start to the season. And if they do somehow become champions, he’ll be immortal.

All United can do is keep winning and see where it takes them. That won’t be easy this afternoon against a Leicester side who – surprise, surprise – have been rejuvenated by the return of James Maddison. They’ve scored eight goals in their last two league games, and their front four of Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Tete and Kelechi Iheanacho will give United’s defence a good test today. Erik wouldn’t have it any other way.

Kick off 2pm

Updated at 07.54 EST