With a buildup dominated by takeover rumors, Marcus Rashford continued his impressive form with a thunderous brace as Manchester United overcame a shaky start to easily defeat Leicester in the Premier League.
Prior to Sunday’s Premier League game, Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS firm both acknowledged submitting offers to purchase the club from the Glazer family.
After Thursday’s Europa League draw at Barcelona, Erik ten Hag claimed his team was not bothered by that, but rather appeared sluggish against Leicester before Jadon Sancho completed Marcus Rashford’s hat trick to secure the victory.
The 25-year-old broke his previous single-season scoring record of 22 for his boyhood club before February was over by netting 16 goals in 17 games following the World Cup, bringing his total to 24.
Rashford scored with confidence and a low shot after David de Gea had kept United in the game against Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester by making superb stops on Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho.
As a result, the Spaniard was able to tie Peter Schmeichel’s club record of 180 shutouts and set up the victory. Rashford’s second goal was given after a VAR review, and then substitute Sancho scored.
The 25-year-old broke his previous single-season scoring record of 22 for his boyhood club before February was over by netting 16 goals in 17 games following the World Cup, bringing his total to 24.
Rashford scored with confidence and a low shot after David de Gea had kept United in the game against Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester by making superb stops on Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho.
As a result, the Spaniard was able to tie Peter Schmeichel’s club record of 180 shutouts and set up the victory. Rashford’s second goal was given after a VAR review, and then substitute Sancho scored.
Fred blocked a dangerous cross and Tete tried his luck from an acute angle, before De Gea came to the rescue again as Iheanacho met a cross to the far post with a header into the ground that he clawed away brilliantly.
Although few anticipated it to occur at the other end given the manner of play, it seemed more a matter of when than if there would be an opener.
Bruno Fernandes brilliantly played in Rashford after Marcel Sabitzer intercepted a careless pass from Wout Faes. Rashford could have cut across for Alejandro Garnacho but instead confidently struck low past Danny Ward.
Following the 25th-minute goal, which made the forward the first United player since Wayne Rooney in 2010 to score in seven successive home league games, there were instant anti-Glazer shouts.
When Leicester attempted to react, Kieran Dewsbury-Hall dragged wide and Maddison went close in stoppage time, but United should have been two up after the break had Diogo Dalot converted a Fernandes cross.
With his final shot of the half, Luke Shaw missed a free kick. Three minutes later, he crossed again, and Lisandro Martinez met it with a header that hit the crossbar.
As the hosts attempted to score a second goal after being initially denied in the 56th minute, Rashford, who had been shifted to the left after Sancho’s halftime substitution, cut inside past two but fired straight at Ward.
After Rashford was sent through to beat Ward far too easily, the offside flag was raised.
The VAR reviewed the decision and decided that the forward was onside when Fred put him through, leading to belated celebrations at Old Trafford. It was a close-looking decision that went in the hosts’ favor after review.
Five minutes later, United made it 3-0 when Martinez fouled Iheanacho at the halfway line to start an excellent, sweeping team break.
Sancho stretched right to Fernandes after Sabitzer passed the ball to the striker, who then pushed the ball onto Rashford, who finished it confidently in front of the Stretford End.
When United made adjustments with Barcelona in mind, Shaw saw a shot with his weak foot saved before Sancho and Wout Weghorst attempted to add gloss.
Dennis Praet, a Leicester substitution, had an attempt blocked; Weghorst was stopped late; and Fernandes clipped the ball onto the roof of the net as the game came to an end.