What did we learn from United’s win at Leicester?

Manchester United made it two wins in four days with a convincing 3-0 victory over Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

Goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes secured the success against the Foxes and moved the Reds up to 13th in the table – a rise of two places.

With the March international break now allowing manager Ruben Amorim time to take stock at Carrington, there was plenty to dissect in the East Midlands.

Here are our key takeaways from the King Power Stadium…

HOJLUND GETS HIS REWARD

It had been a long old wait for Rasmus, but his first-half opener ended a drought that spanned 22 hours of football and you could tell just how much it meant to him. The Dane timed his run to perfection and had all the guile needed to compose himself before whacking his effort beyond Mads Hermansen in the City net. Let’s hope our no.9 can build on that tally after the March international break, after a two-legged Nations League quarter-final tie with Portugal.

A BLOW FOR HEAVEN

It’s no surprise Amorim puts so much faith in teenager Ayden Heaven, given his two showings over the past four days. Our winter addition has made quite the impression in the midst of a defensive injury crisis and his calm and composed nature showed through again during the first half, as he thwarted Patson Daka on multiple occasions. But with the second half just minutes old, a clearance to deny Daka ended in the worst possible outcome, as the 18-year-old had to be stretchered off in some discomfort. Here’s hoping it’s nothing too serious, but Ruben said it was too early to tell when asked about Ayden’s status after the game.

ERIKSEN APPROACHES A TON

Christian Eriksen seems to have found some form under Amorim of late and this was his 99th appearance for the Reds. The former Spurs man slotted into a left-sided attacking role and linked up well with Diogo Dalot, keeping the side ticking like a metronome. Christian could have opened the scoring too with a rasping first-time effort that reverberated off the post before Hojlund’s opener and, with Kobbie Mainoo out injured, our no.14 deserves some admiration for his calm, composed showings.

MOUNT RETURNS

Although he didn’t feature in the game, Mason Mount made a matchday squad for the first time since our 2-1 derby win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in mid-December. We know how much the Three Lions star has had to endure since his move from Chelsea and we really hope he can put his injury problems behind him when the domestic season resumes in April.

FANS IN FINE FORM

Given the kick-off time after our European endeavours, United’s support was as impressive as ever, with the 3,000+ travelling contingent quickly flicking through our burgeoning songbook. Amorim, Wayne Rooney and Garnacho were all included in the various chants and our travelling Reds were rewarded with three vital points to head home with.

A DEBUT FOR AMASS

Step up Academy graduate number 253. Harry Amass made his United bow with just over 20 minutes to go – on his 18th birthday too! Slotting in at left-wing back, Amass looked calm and composed on his first senior appearance for the club and did well when pitted against the tricky Facundo Buonanotte. We hope to see more and more of him in the next few months…

A WORD FOR RUUD

It’s been a real tough gig for Ruud van Nistelrooy at Leicester, who are now nine points adrift in the drop zone with nine games to play. The Foxes have lost 13 of their last 14 outings in the Premier League and look doomed. Ruud beat the East Midlanders on two occasions during his interim spell in charge of United but has now tasted defeat against his old club twice and a smattering of boos could be heard at the full-time whistle, as the home fans started to contemplate a swift return to the Championship.

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