Manchester United 1-2 Leicester: Foxes improve top-four hopes with win over much-changed United
Caglar Soyuncu’s thumping header gave Leicester’s top-four hopes a huge shot in the arm as they condemned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s scratch Manchester United side to the defeat that saw Manchester City crowned Premier League champions.
The hosts’ 10 changes at Old Trafford gave Brendan Rodgers’ stuttering outfit a great chance to get their Champions League qualification push back on track ahead of playing in their first FA Cup final in 52 years.
Leicester took that opportunity as they won a league match at Old Trafford for the first time since 1998, with Soyuncu sealing a 2-1 triumph after Mason Greenwood had cancelled out Luke Thomas’ stunning early volley.
It was a successful night for Sporting Life readers, with Tom Carnduff tipping Soyuncu to score anytime at huge odds of 30/1 in his preview of the game.
Second-placed United were assured of a top-four finish regardless of this result, but the loss means City have now wrapped up a third Premier League title in four years.
The Foxes now look well placed to join the Manchester sides in next season’s Champions League, with Thomas’ exquisite volley and a towering Soyuncu header propelling them back to third ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea.
Reaction
Solskjaer says Manchester United need to strengthen this summer if they are to catch Manchester City.
“If you want to take up the challenge with them, of course, we need to strengthen our squad,” Solskjaer told BT Sport.
“Congratulations to them. They’ve had a fantastic season.
“I’m very pleased with my boys because they’ve made it into the last 10 days of the season with a Man City team ahead of us that are lauded as the best in Europe.
“We’ve done well but we want to take the next step and it might be that we need a couple more to have a stronger squad.”
Asked in the post-match press conference if he knows the areas he wants to improve, Solskjaer said: “That’s a long process and we know what we want to do.
“First of all, congratulations to Man City for winning the league, very worthy champions. We’ve got to hold our hands up and say that.
“But that’s where we want to be and we’re not there yet. They’ve put the bar where it is and that’s up to us now to take the next step.”
Solskjaer was pleased with the performance of his much-changed side despite the defeat, with 19-year-old Anthony Elanga coming in for his debut on a night when 18-year-old Amad Diallo made his first United start.
“It took some time to get going but after they scored it looked like we dropped our shoulders, the nerves went and we started playing,” the United manager said.
“We scored a fantastic goal and I’m very pleased with the performance. Amad, very good. Elanga will remember this, so very pleased with them.”
Rodgers delight
Rodgers was thrilled with his side’s display at Old Trafford, especially after Friday’s shock 4-2 home loss to struggling Newcastle.
The victory propelled the Foxes back up to third and eight points above fifth-placed West Ham, putting them back on course for Champions League qualification as they now look ahead to Saturday’s shot at their first ever FA Cup win against Chelsea.
“It’s huge,” Rodgers said. “It’s huge. We get to 66 points now – two of the teams, third and fourth last season, qualified for the Champions League on 66.
“We’ve taken a big step, however, there’s still two games to go, teams are still chasing us. There’s still work to do but a huge step.
“It’s amazing. We said when we reached the final there was still so much work to do for us in the league and we’ve done some great work to get to this stage.
“Now we can get back in tomorrow on the back of a fantastic result and get ready to take on the Champions League finalists.
“It’s a chance for history at the weekend.”