Four things we learnt as sparkling United coast to 3-0 victory over Van Nistelrooy’s Leicester

Manchester United travelled to Leicester City aiming to sign off in style before the international break.

Andre Onana started in nets despite rumours that he would miss the match. Matthijs de Ligt, Victor Lindelof and Ayden Heaven formed the back three.

Noussair Mazraoui shifted to right wing back while Diogo Dalot covered for the final match of Patrick Dorgu’s suspension.

Manuel Ugarte came back from injury to partner Thursday’s hat-trick hero Bruno Fernandes in the middle of the park.

Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen started just behind Rasmus Hojlund.

Here are four things we learnt from the match.

Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho end their droughts

22 year old Hojlund had gone a scarcely believable 21 matches without a goal since finding the back of the net in December in the Europa League.

His last strike in the Premier League was on the 7th December at Old Trafford against Nottingham Forest.

The Denmark international has been very poor during the run but he did improve immensely on Thursday night in the Europa League when he won a penalty and provided an assist for Dalot.

After 28 minutes a wonderful ball by Fernandes allowed Hojlund to spin in behind and get a shot across goal that finally broke his nightmarish run without a goal.

Alejandro Garnacho had gone even longer without a goal as he hadn’t found the net since scoring at the end of November against Bodo/Glimt.

He has contributed some assists lately but all United fans will be hoping that his second-half strike, as in Hojlund’s case, will give United’s two young attackers some confidence moving forward in the final two months of the season.

Ayden Heaven looks an absolute bargain

The 18 year old started his first Premier League game after getting 90 minutes against Real Sociedad during the week.

The young Englishman put in a fantastic performance and was at it again in the first 45 minutes at the King Power Stadium.

He looked calm and composed on the ball and even confidently strode into midfield on a couple of occasions.

The youngster made a great lash ditch tackle to deny the home side and he was at it again with a great goal-saving block.

He is already building up a fine relationship with the United fans as he raised his hands to encourage the travelling fans after expertly shielding the ball out of play.

Supporters will need to be patient with the young defender but he certainly looks like he can build a formidable partnership with fellow starlet Leny Yoro for years to come at the heart of the United defence.

United’s injury curse continues

The Red Devils have already lost Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo to long-term injuries this season.

They are also dealing with the more short-term defensive losses of Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro.

Disaster struck early in the second half when the outstanding Heaven had to be stretchered off after falling awkwardly when challenging the Leicester attacker.

United fans will hope the injury is not as serious as it looks but many will be fearing the worst and will feel gutted for the young man who has been so impressive since he joined in January.

Another Carrington debutant

Academy player Harry Amass finally made his highly-anticipated debut for the senior team in the second half.

The youngster impressed on the pre-season tour in the summer but had not made an appearance for the first team in spite of United’s problems at left back.

The former Watford youngster’s attacking nature should allow him to get further minutes in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system at left wing back.

He joins Toby Collyer and Chido Obi in making their senior debuts this season and he surely won’t be the last with the incredible cast of starlets waiting in the wings at United’s famous academy.

Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images

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