Leicester 2-2 Manchester United: player ratings as Foxes & Red Devils share spoils

Leicester and Manchester United had to settle for a share of the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw at the King Power Stadium on Boxing Day.

United took the lead after 23 minutes, Marcus Rashford cooly slotting home Bruno Fernandes’ stabbed pass.

Fernandes was in the thick of the action again – but for all the wrong reasons – as Leicester equalised just after the half hour mark. The Portuguese midfielder was dispossessed deep inside his own half by Wilfred Ndidi, James Maddison fed Harvey Barnes and the Foxes winger sent a wonderfully struck effort from distance past David de Gea.

Fernandes made amends 11 minutes from time, collecting Edinson Cavani’s clever through ball and stroking past Kasper Schmeichel.

However, Leicester levelled again in the 85th minute, substitute Ayoze Perez crossing for Vardy, who turned home via a slight deflection off Axel Tuanzebe.

Let’s get into some player ratings.

Kasper Schmeichel (GK) – 6/10 – Produced a fantastic one handed reaction save to keep out a stinging Rashford effort in the second half.

James Justin (RB) – 7/10 – Produced one of Leicester’s most promising first half openings with a fizzing delivery into Vardy. Picked out the Foxes’ striker again in the first period with a clever, defence splitting pass and looked thoroughly assured defensively.

Jonny Evans (CB) – 6/10 Martial, Rashford and Fernandes got in behind the Leicester backline on a couple of occasions, but was otherwise defensively solid and complimented Fofana nicely.

Wesley Fofana (CB) – 6/10 – Popped up with a pivotal piece of defending in the second half, getting across quickly, standing James up and winning the ball with United two on one. So confident when bringing the ball out from defence.

Timothy Castagne (LB) – 6/10 – Combined really well with Barnes going forward and put in a solid shift defensively.

Wilfred Ndidi (CDM) – 7/10 – Pressed and dispossessed Fernandes deep in the United half in the build up to Leicester’s equaliser. Led the press and shielded the back four expertly with a number of intelligent interceptions while still offering plenty when Leicester were in possession.

Youri Tielemans (CM) – 8/10 – Produced a cracking sliding interception in the first half to prevent James being played through on goal. So intelligent, dynamic and efficient on the ball, tenacious and hard working out of possession.

James Maddison (CAM) – 6/10 – Fed Barnes for Leicester’s equaliser and hit a couple of sweet cross field passes in the second half, but was never really able to exert his creative influence on the game.

Mark Albrighton (RW) – 6/10 – A hardworking, industrious shift, typified by a terrific tackle he made in the Leicester box in the second half, with Fernandes just about to pull the trigger. Overhit a couple of crosses and was replaced with 10 minutes remaining.

Jamie Vardy (ST) – 7/10 – Got across the face of Bailly and flashed a fizzing Justin delivery just over early in the first half. Popped up with some vintage Vardy movement to earn himself a bit of space and scrappily turn home Perez’s cross for Leicester’s second.

Harvey Barnes (LW) – 8/10 – Levelled the scores with a terrific finish from range, sending a wicked left footed strike past De Gea from the edge of the box. Lively and adventurous, he was at the heart of every dangerous Leicester move.

Ayoze Perez – 6/10 – Influential in Leicester’s equaliser, with his cross turned home by Vardy.

David de Gea (GK) – 5/10 – Sloppily conceded possession in the first half as United attempted to play out from the back and was fortunate not to be punished.

Victor Lindelof (RB) – 5/10 – Given a bit of a tough afternoon by the lively Barnes. Forced off after 65 minutes with injury.

Harry Maguire (CB) – 6/10 – Did a good job on Vardy for the majority of the game between himself and Bailly, with the Leicester forward rarely having the opportunity to get in behind.

Eric Bailly (CB) – 6/10 – Question marks over his role for Leicester’s equaliser, with both Bailly and McTominay giving Barnes too much room and inviting the winger to have a crack. Had no answer to the movement of Vardy for Leicester’s second.

Luke Shaw (LB) – 6/10 – Enjoyed a good battle with Albrighton, rarely beaten by the Leicester winger – but Shaw rarely got the better of him when going forward either.

Fred (CDM) – 6/10 – A characteristically energetic defensive display, but didn’t offer as much in possession as Ndidi and Tielemans did for Leicester.

Scott McTominay (CDM) – 6/10 – Gifted Barnes too much time in the build up to Leicester’s equaliser, McTominay not getting out to close down Barnes quick enough – a rare lack or urgency from the Scot, who harried and got stuck in all afternoon.

Bruno Fernandes (CAM) – 8/10 – Teed up Rashford with an irresistible cross in the early exchanges from which the United forward should have scored. Stretched out to prod into the path of Rashford for United’s opener, before carelessly conceding possession in the build up to Leicester’s equaliser. Made amends with a composed finish as United retook the lead.

Dan James (RW) – 6/10 – Heavily involved in United’s opener, spinning and feeding Fernandes. Not clinical enough when United were on a promising counter attack in the second half, his pass cut out by Fofana. Replaced after 53 minutes.

Anthony Martial (ST) – 5/10 – Had the ball in the back of the net in the second half after running in behind the Leicester backline, but was correctly ruled out for offside. Otherwise relatively quiet, replaced after 75 minutes.

Marcus Rashford (LW) – 7/10 – Wasted a glorious first half opportunity when, unmarked, he headed over from close range. Made no mistake minutes later, cooly slotting past Schmeichel to give United the lead.

Paul Pogba – 6/10

Axel Tuanzebe – 6/10

Edinson Cavani – 7/10 – Set up Fernandes for United’s second with a terrific through ball.