Erik Ten Hag delivers another tactical masterpiece as United duo enters history books in Leicester City's victory

Manchester United won 3-0 on Sunday afternoon as they brushed Brendan Rodgers' Leicester City aside to consolidate their place in third place on the Premier League table.
 
The first 10 minutes of the encounter favored the visitors as their best chance after Iheanacho set up Barnes one-on-one with David De Gea, and the Spaniard managed to keep out the England international's shot.
 
Manchester United eventually broke through after Bruno Fernandes set up Marcus Rashford. The informed attacker clinically put the ball beyond Ward to put Manchester United ahead.
 
The second half saw Manchester United dominate the game as they scored twice through Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, who came on before the start of the second half. Bruno Fernandes was effective as he set up Jadon Sancho's goal after combining well with the England international.
 
Manchester United's academy product Kobbie Mainoo made his Premier League debut, and Scott McTominay returned to the team, coming on in the second half in place of Fred.
 
It's looking good for Manchester United, as they are currently the team with the highest number of victories in Europe's Big Five Leagues.
 
Talking points
 
David De Gea is a proven legend.
 
The Spaniard equaled Peter Schmeichel's clean sheet record at Manchester United as he kept another one on Sunday afternoon.
 
It wasn't a quiet afternoon for the number one, as he was kept busy by Leicester City's attackers and had to deal with several of Fox's attempts, especially in the first half where he denied Leicester City's Barnes twice.
 
He deserves respect given how long he has been with the team and how much he has contributed to its progress, including carrying the team all by himself at some points.
 
 
* Erik Ten Hag delivers another master piece.
 
The Dutch manager has kept on showing he isn't just an average manager after he led his side to a sensational display against Barcelona last Thursday in the Europa League.
 
He made insane tactical tweaks that almost won the game for them at Nou Camp.
 
On Sunday, he repeated it, and with Alejandro Gernacho struggling to beat his marker on the left wing, he took off the young Argentine and replaced him with Jadon Sancho.
 
Marcus Rashford, who started the game as a striker, was moved to the left wing, Wout Weghorst returned to his natural number 9 position, and Jadon Sancho slotted in at number 10 with Bruno Fernandes on the right flank.
 
The move changed the game, as the Red Devils attacked with so much fluidity and eventually scored two more to seal the game. Xavi Hernandez must have a plan for the Red Devils ahead of Barcelona's trip to Old Trafford.
 
* Marcus Rashford is on fire.
 
Fans have forgotten so soon the calamitous season the academy graduate had last campaign: just 5 goals and 2 assists in all competitions.
 
The arrival of Erik Ten Hag and the target set for him by the Dutch tactician have gotten him back to his former self, in fact above the level he used to be. The number 10 has now surpassed his best goalscoring season tally of 22; his brace on Sunday against Leicester City took him to 24 goals and 8 assists, and he has also joined the duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney as the players to have scored in seven consecutive games at Old Trafford.
 
With the number of games yet to be played, the England international is certain to reach greater heights this season in terms of goals.
 
* Old Trafford is a fortress.
 
Since their opening-day loss to Brighton Albion at Old Trafford, the Red Devils haven't taken a wrong foot at home; the win against Leicester City was their 17th game unbeaten at home.
 
The best results opponents have gotten since Brighton Albion's defeat was a draw, and they are 0-0 against Newcastle United and 2-2 against Leeds United.
 
Leicester City's manager, Brendan Rodgers, already hinted about their home form being a proof they are difficult to play at home.
 
* Jadon Sancho is building back his confidence.
 
The 22-year-old is being steadily integrated back into the team. He was one of the tactical tools Erik Ten Hag wielded against the Foxes on Sunday. The winger moved into the number 10 position.
 
The way he was taking on the opponent each time he had the ball and how he masterminded and scored Manchester United's third goal is evidence of how his confidence is coming back. He was also toying with Leicester players alongside Wan Bissaka as both players kept tossing the ball to themselves with a crowd of blue shirts all around them.
 
 
His celebration after the goal, pointing towards the Old Trafford crowd, shows how much it meant to him.
 

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