Marcus Rashford continued his remarkable goalscoring form as Manchester United cruised to a 3-0 Premier League win over Leicester City.
Rashford was on target with a brace at Old Trafford on Sunday to help United overcome a poor start and make it eight wins from their last 11 league games.
Jadon Sancho made sure of the points with a well-worked third for United, who are now only five points behind leaders Arsenal, albeit having played a game more.
The comfortable nature of the victory allowed United to rest Rashford for much of the second half ahead of Thursday s Europa League second leg at home to Barcelona and next Sunday s EFL Cup final against Newcastle United, in which they will look to win a first trophy since 2017.
17 Marcus Rashford has scored 17 goals at Old Trafford across all competitions in 2022-23 the most by a player in a single season for Manchester United since Wayne Rooney in 2011-12 (19). Dreams.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)
Leicester dominated the early stages and would have taken the lead in the eighth minute if not for fine goalkeeping from David de Gea, who denied Harvey Barnes after he had played a one-two with Kelechi Iheanacho following sloppy play in possession from Fred.
The Foxes wasted several superb chances to open the scoring and De Gea was once again a thorn in their side when he produced heroics to claw away Iheanacho s goal-bound header from a Timothy Castagne cross.
Their profligacy was punished moments later when a lazy pass from Wout Faes was pounced on in style by United, Bruno Fernandes throughball with the outside of the boot finding Rashford to lash into the bottom-left corner.
Faes was guilty of more questionable defending when United went close to doubling their lead, Diogo Dalot afforded too much space in the penalty area but unable to make telling contact with an excellent Fernandes cross.
United did make it 2-0 in the 56th minute when Rashford slid home after being played through by Fred, with the VAR deeming Faes had played him onside after the assistant had initially raised his flag.
Sancho then ensured there would be no Leicester comeback, slotting in from closing range after a neat exchange with the impressive Fernandes.
What does it mean? Rashford inspiring potential title challenge
United manager Erik ten Hag will likely want to cool talk of a push for the Premier League title, but United are a long way from out of it yet, with the form of Rashford key to their probably slim hopes.
Rashford has now scored 16 goals since the season resumed following the World Cup, and his 17 goals at Old Trafford this term are the most since Wayne Rooney s 19 in 2011-12.
Brilliant Bruno
For as impressive as Rashford was, the best player on the pitch was the man setting up most of the chances for United.
Fernandes played nine key passes in an instrumental display, his two assists just reward for his performance.
Faes day to forget
Arguably no player did more to aid Rashford and Fernandes in United s victory than Leicester centre-back Faes.
Directly at fault for both of Rashford s goals and pulled from pillar to post for the third, leaving Sancho unmarked in the box, Faes was the antithesis of defensive solidity.
Key Opta Facts
– United have lost just three of their last 22 matches in the Premier League (W15 D4). Furthermore, the Red Devils have won more points than any other side in the English top-flight since the first game of that run (49).
– Leicester have conceded 10 goals in their last five Premier League games, one more than in their previous 11 matches beforehand. In fact, only Bournemouth (44) have conceded more goals than the Foxes in the Premier League this season (41).
– Rashford has scored in each of his last seven Premier League home games; only two United players have scored in more consecutive appearances at Old Trafford in the competition – Rooney (eight between December 2009 and March 2010) and Cristiano Ronaldo (10 between March and November 2008).
– Substitute Sancho has scored four goals in 13 Premier League games this season, one more than he netted across 29 appearances last term (three). United have scored a league-high nine Premier League goals via substitutes this season (excluding own goals), while no side have conceded more goals to subs than Leicester (eight, also excluding own goals).
What s next?
United welcome Barcelona to Old Trafford with their tie level at 2-2 before facing Newcastle at Wembley. Leicester will hope to do United and Manchester City a favour on Saturday when they host Arsenal.
