With Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton all losing, it was a perfect chance for the Reds to show their intents this season and climb above their rivals.
The match on Sunday Afternoon at the King Power Stadium ended with a big result for Leicester City and another disappointing game for Manchester United which leaves them in the second half of the table.
The players went into this knowing fully well they had to get all three points but a second half decline gave the game to the host in a disappointing encounter for the former EPL Champions.
Manchester United looked to be in control in the first 16 minutes with goals from Robin Van Persie and Angel Di Maria but instantly had the lead cut back to one.
Herrera put United two goals ahead in the second half and when it looked like United will see out the match, the defence collapsed conceding 4 needless goals which turned the game on its head and gave the foxes a 5-3 victory.
Although former Manchester United defender, De Laet should have seen red and the referee Mark Clattenburg made a debatable call for Leicester second goal, Manchester United practically threw the game away.
A condition they will need to address as soon as possible if they will have any chance of fighting for a top 4 finish.
From the onset, Louis Van Gaal got it all wrong with his tactics.
The decision to leave Juan Mata out of the team and play all his strikers at once proved wrong at the end.
Manchester United would have done better with a striker coming on later as a substitute or with either Juan Mata or Januzaj starting thus adding more to the number in the midfield.
He may have scored the first goal of the match but his recent form is highly discouraging and he practically did nothing special in the match after the goal.
He has lost the pace and quickness as well as his sharpness in the 18 yard box; he is certainly not the player he used to be.
It’s time Louis Van Gaal drops Robin Van Persie and Falcao a chance to lead the line.
Wayne Rooney pulled all the strings today but it was not enough to give his team the needed victory.
The diamond formation played with Herrera, Blind, Di Maria and Mata against QPR showed the attacking creativity and also the midfield balance.
Playing Rooney in the mix made it more of a 4-3-3 and it didn’t work out fine today with the midfielders looking isolated when the opponents are in possession.
The biggest highlight of the match was Manchester United defence. Evans may not necessarily be the best of defenders but the injury in the first half which led to his substitution clearly showed the team lacks a leader at the back.
Smalling, the substitute was all over the place; Marcos Rojo seems to be too slow and was outpaced by Vardy throughout.
Tyler Blackett’s lack of experience was obvious and Rafael behaved childish in some situations.
The defence is clearly out of order and if United is to get anything this season, the defence is the place to work on.
With goals coming up-front, the defence might be the major undoing of the team if not addressed on time.
