Nemanja Matic lauds Amad and Anthony Elanga qualities for Manchester United vs Leicester

Nemanja Matic lauded the character of Manchester United youngsters Amad and Anthony Elanga despite defeat to Leicester.

The United captain for the day was impressed with the two debutants, who shone for United at times albeit in a disappointing team display to lose 2-1 to the Foxes.

Amad assisted Mason Greenwood for the only United goal of the evening, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side — much changed due to their hectic schedule this week — couldn’t hold on for a point, as Caglar Soyuncu headed home in the second half.

Speaking to BT Sport after the game, Matic claimed United played well enough to deserve something from the game and bemoaned the fact a header from a Leicester corner proved his side’s undoing.

He said: “We had a good team today of course some young players got a chance with some experienced players. We had a good balance. A set-piece decided the game.

“In some parts of the game we played some amazing football but we didn’t create enough to score a second goal.”

Solskjaer sprung a surprise with his 10 changes for the game, though Matic was impressed with how the young players handled the pressure of making their first starts.

“We had two days [to prepare],” he added. “We had some meetings, of course we are not happy with the result, but we played some good football. The youngsters did well and showed great character against a very good side.

“We have to deal with this situation. In two days we have another big game.”

The defeat for United confirmed Manchester City had secured the Premier League title with three games to spare, but Matic is focussed only on the finale to the league season and a huge game for Solskjaer’s men in the Europa League final.

Asked about City’s title win, he said: “They are champions but we have to be focused on ourselves in the last three games and in the Europa League to do our best.”