Manchester United 2-0 Leicester AS IT HAPPENED: Red Devils maintain perfect start

SUBSTITUTES Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini were on target as Manchester United maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season with a 2-0 victory over Leicester at Old Trafford. See how the drama unfolded with Express Sport.

Juan Mata: Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be a big boost

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brought you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old Trafford

GOODNIGHT!

Thanks for joining today folks. I’ll be back again tomorrow to bring you LIVE coverage of Chelsea v Everton and Liverpool v Arsenal.

Remember to set your alarms for the Floyd Mayweather v Conor McGregor fight. I’m predicting I miss the thing completely because I’ve thrown my phone out the window.

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old TraffordREUTERS

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from O

20:00: Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare, speaking to BT Sport: "I think we frustrated them for large parts of the game. When you come to Old Trafford in the form they are in, they will have big moments. We had our moments too but could not see the game through.

"Set pieces are our Achilles heel at the moment. We need to organise and set better. It was a harsh penalty but a great save form Kasper Schmeichel. To go 1-0 down, it knocked a bit of spirit from us. Disappointed in the overall result, but we were nice and solid for large parts.”

19:53: Asked about Zlatan Ibrahimovic's re-signing, Mourinho said: "He will be back in January. When the market is open and people are spending money we don't. But we get a player who was fundamental for us last season. He comes to give us extra quality in the second half of the season."

19:50: Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, speaking to BT Sport: ”We can look into perspective, last season we won against Leicester at home so that doesn't make a difference but we had too many draws at home last season.

"The difference is the quality of our football, we're playing better today and if we hadn't won this match I wouldn't have anyone to blame. The team is playing very well and I'm very confident. We are comfortable on the ball and dangerous on the counter attack. But nine points after three matches is nothing different for us because we did that last season."

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old TraffordREUTERS

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from O

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Harrison: Strong team performance against a very stubborn (defensive) team. This is Manchester United, and we ain't gonna stop any time soon!

Stuart: I personally thought Paul Pogba was s*** today, haha. Wasting shots, being greedy and losing possession. But hey, I’m happy with the win.

Elliot: Nice to hear Jose Mourinho complimenting our defensive "wall.” I’m flattered…

19:45: Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, speaking to BT Sport: ”I think we played very well. The result was open at 0-0. The blue wall was very well organised and I always give credit for that. They defended very well.

"After the goal I have to say we were very good. If i have to choose a word to describe my team, i would have to say "solid". The players are good and motivated. They are on the bench waiting for a chance."

19:43: It wouldn’t be a Jose Mourinho press conference if he didn’t have a rant about something. He’s annoyed with international managers taking too many players in their squads. Hard to disagree really.

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old TraffordREUTERS

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from O

19:41: Manchester United star Paul Pogba, speaking to BT Sport: "That's why need them, because they can change the game. We're happy for them. Is that a game that we might not have won last season? Yes, for sure. I was a bit scared but we keep pushing this season."

19:41: Manchester United scorer Marcus Rashford, speaking to BT Sport: "We created a lot of chances in the first half and it seemed like it was going to be one of those days. But the team stuck to the task and thankfully we got the goal. When the chances are coming then I'm confident of getting the goals."

19:39: Jose Mourinho is speaking to BT Sport now. He’s complicated the "blue wall" for their organisation, but was absolutely delighted with his team’s performance.

Asked for one word to describe his team, he went with “solid…”

Full quotes coming your way shortly.

19:35: This has absolutely no relevance to today’s match, but I’ve just seen that actor Kevin Spacey is attending the Roma v Inter Milan match in Italy tonight.

Well I thought it was interesting!

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old TraffordGETTY

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from O

19:30: Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at Old Trafford.

David De Gea ensured Untied keep a clean sheet by sticking out his foot to deny King what looked a certain goal from Gray's low cross.

So United go into the first international break of the season after a perfect start - three wins out of three, 10 goals scored and none conceded and, of course, top of the table - providing West Brom, the only other team with maximum points so far, don't beat Stoke 9-0 tomorrow.

Leicester have lost two out of three but on this evidence there is nothing for them to worry about. They will win more than they lose this season if they play with this determination and organisation. Gray looked very lively after coming on as a sub and Maguire showed his international call-up is well deserved.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Cameron: Conceded two tired goals today. But have to say this Manchester United team are the best team we’ve played in a long, long time.

Macon: Not even joking when I say it, but Phil Jones is comfortably the fourth best defender in the Premier League.

Aashish: Would've laughed off had someone told me in the beginning that first three matches would be three CS with GS reaching double figures!

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old TraffordPA

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from O

19:23: Stay tuned folks! We’ll have all the post-match reaction coming your way shortly.

FT: MANCHESTER UNITED 2-0 LEICESTER

94: DDG pulls off a miraculous save from Andy King. The Spanish stopper stuck out a leg to deny the midfielder from point-blank range. Fantasy Football managers will be delighted with their clean sheet bonuses. Me included.

93: Three matches, three wins, 10 goals and zero goals conceded. Not too shabby.

92: I don’t think we’re going to see four today folks, but a third-consecutive clean sheet is another positive for Jose. There will be tougher tests going forward, but you can only beat the team in front of you.

FOUR MINUTES ADDED TIME

88: Matty James gets himself a late booking after hacking down Marcus Rashford in full-flight. Paul Pogba plays it over to Lukaku, but Fuchs clears. Jose Mourinho will be very encouraged by the Bailly/Jones partnership. They’ve been solid.

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old TraffordPA

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from O

86: Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at Old Trafford.

Now all three subs have combined the second goal - Mourinho must be thinking he can do nothing wrong!

Rashford played Lingard through and he took his time before crossing for Fellaini to turn the ball home with his right knee.

83: Manchester United really want a third, and possibly fourth here folks. It’s that familiar part of the game when their opposition crumble. Jesse Lingard darts into the box but Maguire intercepts his cutback with Lukaku lurking.

81: MANCHESTER UNITED 2-0 LEICESTER - FELLAINI

Game, set and match to Manchester United. 

It’s another substitute that’s done the business in Marouane Fellaini, who taps in Jesse Lingard's cross to double United’s advantage.

Jose Mourinho affords himself a mini first-pump on the sidelines, but no more than that.

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old TraffordGETTY

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from O

79: Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at Old Trafford.

Mourinho's substitutions are certainly working the trick this season. After Martial came on in the first two games to score, Rashford has followed suit to break the deadlock.

He was left unmarked from Mkhitaryan's corner to score with a right foot volley that he actually fired into the ground but the pace and bounce on the shot proved too much for Schmeichel who got his hands to the rising ball but couldn't keep it out.

First of the season for Rashford and now the pressure has eased there could be more for United. 

Fellaini used to get jeered by the Stretford End but such is the feel-good factor at Old Trafford these days they now sing his name. 

He's on for Mkhitaryan and Lingard has replaced Martial.

74: Leicester make a change too with Islam Slimani coming on for Jamie Vardy.

73: Henrikh Mkhitaryan has equalled the Premier League record for most assists in his first three appearances in a season. (5 by Ruel Fox in 1994/95). It hasn’t stopped Jose Mourinho from taking him off though. He’s replaced by Marouane Fellaini. Anthony Martial is also replaced by Jesse Lingard.

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old TraffordGETTY

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from Old Trafford

69: MANCHESTER UNITED 1-0 LEICESTER - RASHFORD

How’s that for a super-sub?! Marcus Rashford has opened the scoring about five minutes after replacing Juan Mata.

Leicester fail to deal with Mkhitaryan’s drilled corner, and the England international sweeps home on the half-volley from 12-yards out.

Craig Shakespeare will be furious with how simple that was. Perhaps Schmeichel could have done better - but it would be a brave man to criticise him at this stage.

68: Leicester are fighting like warriors for this point. Everyone’s pitching in and doing the dirty work to deny Manchester United a clear effort on goal. Impressive defensive performance.

67: Yep, Marcus Rashford replaces Juan Mata.

66: I can see Marcus Rashford warming up on the sidelines. Won’t be long before we see the electric youngster. Riyad Mahrez steals it from under Daley Blind’s nose before sending a decent cross into the area. DDG deals with it.

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old TraffordGETTY

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from O

65: Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at Old Trafford.

Dad Peter will no doubt have mixed feelings: delighted that Schmeichel junior has saved a penalty at Old Trafford but frustrated he's denied United the lead. 

Kasper's has obviously done his homework, diving to his right to save Lukaku's effort. 

Simpson was a relieved man - he handled Martial's cross to give away the spot kick. Had United scored it might have opened the floodgates.

But instead it has given the Foxes tremendous encouragement to continue their backs-to-the wall fight for a point.

Shakespeare's made a couple of subs to give his team some fresh legs - King and Gray are on for Albrighton and Okazaki - with an hour gone.

64: Did you know; Kasper Schmeichel (1) has now saved more Premier League penalties at Old Trafford than Peter Schmeichel (0). Not interested? Fair play.

Manchester United are in the process of regrouping after Lukaku’s missed penalty. Lots of possession, few chances.

60: Phil Jones does well to block Riyad Mahrez’s angled shot after wriggling his way into the penalty area. Leicester make a couple of changes. Demarai Gray replaces Marc Albrighton while Andy King comes on for Shinji Okazaki.

58: That penalty save has done wonders for Leicester’s confidence. The former Premier League champions are seeing more of the ball but haven’t threatened Dvid de Gea.

55: And swiftly from my Fantasy Football captain missing a penalty, Mkhitaryan has been booked for a foul on Mahrez.

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old TraffordREUTERS

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from O

53: ROMELU LUKAKU HAS MISSED A PENALTY! Michael Oliver had no option but to award a penalty when Danny Simpson handled Anthony Martial’s cross inside the area. Lukaku puts the ball on the spot, but Schmeichel denies him with a fantastic full-stretch save.

50: Will Jose Mourinho be haunted by the number of frustrating games he endured at Old Trafford last season? United have seen almost 100% possession in this half, but still no breakthrough.

48: Manchester United have picked up where they left off- in control. Romelu Lukaku looks to tee-up Mkhitaryan, but Ndidi is in quickly.

45: OK, we’re back underway folks. No changes for either side at the break. Rio Ferdinand thinks Jose will give it ten minutes before making some changes. He wants Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini thrown into the mix.

HT: Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at Old Trafford.

Leicester will be delighted to have reached the break level. 

United are finding Craig Shakespeare's men are made of sterner stuff than West Ham or Swansea. The Foxes are getting stuck in and giving as good as they get. 

Jones and Vardy will not win any beauty contests but they are knocking seven bells out of each other and there's a similar battle at the other end with Maguire celebrating his England call-up by keeping a tight leash on Lukaku.

No goals but an absorbing battle.

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old TraffordPA

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from O

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Shaun: This game has last season written all over it... dire refereeing, 80% possession, could just as easily be 5-0, but nope...

Corbin: Great half! Totally dominating the game. Love the confidence the players have with tricks passes and shots galore!

Samara: For all the running Valencia does, he sure as hell can't loop in a cross! Same with Blind. Lukaku deserves better delivery.

HT: MANCHESTER UNITED 0-0 LEICESTER

That was a pretty incident-free end to the first-half at Old Trafford. Jose Mourinho’s side are in complete control, but haven’t been able to breach Kasper Schmeichel and Leicester’s resilient defence.

43: The Foxes are doing a good job of slowing things down here. There’s quite a few naughty tackles going in and that’s affecting United’s rhythm.

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old TraffordREUTERS

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from O

40: Danger! United have a free-kick just outside the area after Maguire brought down Lukaku. Pogba, Blind and Mkhitaryan are standing over it.

Pogba pulls rank but blasts it straight into the wall.

38: Paul Pogba pulls the trigger on his 387th shot of the afternoon. He strikes it cleanly but it goes narrowly wide of the post.

37: Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at Old Trafford.

All United in the first 38 minutes - only surprise is that they are not ahead. 

Mata was unlucky to have one chalked off. He followed up to score when Schmeichel fumbled Lukaku's shot but was flagged offside. Replays showed he was level with Morgan. 

Schmeichel made amends for that mistake with a flying save to keep Mata's shot out of the top corner.

Pogba looking in the mood to make it three goals in three games. He's twice gone close, sliding a close range effort across the face of the goal and he's sent a long range effort a yard wide. But he has just embarrassed himself by miscuing a third effort well off target.

Don't be surprised if he maintains his scoring streak though - he's playing with so much more freedom with Matic in the anchor role.

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from Old TraffordREUTERS

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from Old Trafford

35: Mkhitaryan is having a fantastic game. He’s not been seen in the Leicester penalty area, but he’s pulling all the strings behind. Speak of the red devil, he wins a corner. Blind whips it in but Maguire clears.

32: Daley Blind starts arguing with the linesman about a decision, but quickly realises it was in his favour. He promptly turns around looking embarrassed. Martial has a pop from distance but it was straight down Schmeichel’s throat.

30: Worst shot of the day award is likely to be won by Paul Pogba. He doesn’t connect well and it flies about 20-yards wide. I’m averaging about 15 of those every week 5-a-side.

27: Owen Hargreaves, and myself, have been put in our place after BT Sports’ resident referee proves Juan Mata was offside for this tap-in. Nothing to see here folks.

25: How the hell haven’t we had a goal yet?! Paul Pogba lines one up from 25-yards but Schmeichel scurries over to tip it away. This guy reminds me of another famous Danish goalkeeper at Old Trafford. Can’t remember the name though...

24: Juan Mata dances his way into the area before forcing an incredible save from Schmeichel, who tipped it over for a corner.

Leicester have their first chance of the match in typical Foxes fashion. There’s a long ball forward to Okazaki, but DDG comfortably saves.

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from Old TraffordGETTY

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE coverage from Old Trafford

21: OFFSIDE! Juan Mata converts the rebound after Schmeichel pushed away Lukaku’s fierce strike. Replays show it was ONSIDE! I’m sure Jose will be mentioning that in his post-match interview.

Anthony Martial spots the run from Paul Pogba, who can’t volley the Frenchman’s cross on target. Good effort though.

Leicester buckling here...

20: Usain Bolt is in the house folks! We’ve just seen him wearing virtually everything he’s bought in the club’s shop. Hat, glasses, scarf… I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s got the pants on either!

18: Six of United’s eight Premier League goals have been in the second-half. Craig Shakespeare will ideally want Leicester to have a cushion before that but they’ve not created much.

15: Mkhitaryan makes himself a couple of yards but his long-range effort is blocked by Morgan before falling kindly for Schmeichel.

12: Eric Bailly goes in late on Riyad Mahrez. Morgan and Maguire trundle upfield but the skipper is penalised for offside. Bit of a waste.

In other news, Jose Mourinho is wearing a pretty suave suit on the touchline. Looks good enough for a Bond movie. Not James Bond, but certainly one of those lads that he plays Poker against.

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old TraffordREUTERS

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from O

9: The sun is wreaking havoc here folks. It’s directly in David de Gea's eyes and he’s not wearing a baseball cap. Probably for style purposes I’d imagine. No real chances, but Leicester are seeing more of the ball.

6: Leicester need to weather this early storm, otherwise they risk an old fashioned spanking at Old Trafford. Ndidi does well to slow things down and keep possession in the middle of the park.

3: Manchester United are straight into the ascendancy and almost make the breakthrough in the first 60 seconds.

Mkhitaryan plays a neat one-two with Matic, but Maguire is there to tidy things up. Seconds later Lukaku is penalised for pushing Schmeichel when challenging for a looping Valencia cross.

1: MANCHESTER UNITED 0-0 LEICESTER

And we’re off! Manchester United in their resplendent red, while Leicester are kitted out in traditional blue. Pray for some goals folks, the 3pm matches were a bit sparse.

17:29: The players have emerged from the tunnel to the sound of the Stones Roses. Cracking tune. Just the formality of the handshakes and we’ll be underway.

17:28: BT Sports pundits Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Savage are both going for Manchester United’s wins. Rio says 3-0, while Savage thinks 3-1.

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old TraffordREUTERS

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from O

17:25: Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at Old Trafford.

Kasper Schmeichel spent many hours at Old Trafford as a young boy in the 1990s watching his dad Peter keep goal for United. He always loves to show his goalkeeping talents on his dad's old old stamping ground. 

Mourinho was frustrated last season because too many visiting goalkeepers collected the man of the match awards after keeping United at bay at home.

Schmeichel will be hoping it's a similar story today. He will certainly expect to be kept busy after United hit four in each of their first two games.

Mourinho has made once change as he bids to make it three out of three and go into the international break top of the table. 

He’s rewarded Anthony Martial for coming on as a substitute and scoring in each of the first two games by giving the French youngster his first start – at the expense of Marcus Rashford who drops to the bench after drawing blanks in the first two games.

17:23: The statistics are very much in favour of Manchester United today.

Manchester United have lost just two of their 22 Premier League meetings with Leicester and only one of these came at Old Trafford: 0-1 in January 1998.

But as my old coach used to say, football isn’t played on paper.

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old TraffordREUTERS

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from O

17:20: Whoops, nobody’s mentioned that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back at Manchester United.

I think it’s in his contract that we have to speak about him every 45 seconds…

Anyway, Zlatan could face a considerable battle for a starting spot when fit again but Jose Mourinho has stressed how important it will be for United to have the option of a striker he still regards as one of the world's finest.

Mourinho said: "Zlatan knows me, and he knows that I play the players that I think are the best for the team. I always did it. So if he comes here and he proves he is the best, he plays. If the other ones don't give him a chance to prove that, that's life."

17:15: Updates from our reporter James Cambridge.

Manchester United make one change, bringing in Anthony Martial for Marcus Rashford after winning both their Premier League games 4-0.

Wes Morgan and Jamie Vardy return for Leicester despite suffering back and foot injuries against Brighton.

Harry Maguire also starts despite picking up a knee problem in Tuesday's 4-1 win away at Sheffield United.

Vicente Iborra and Robert Huth are both ruled out.

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from Old TraffordREUTERS

Manchester United v Leicester: Express Sport brings you LIVE updates, highlights and analysis from O

17:10: And here’s the starting XI’s folks…

Manchester United XI: de Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Jones, Blind, Pogba, Matic, Mata, Mkhitaryan, Martial, Lukaku.

Subs: Smalling, Lingard, Rashford, Romero, Ander Herrera, Fellaini, Darmian.

Leicester XI: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Fuchs, Mahrez, Ndidi, James, Albrighton, Okazaki, Vardy.

Subs: Chilwell, Gray, Iheanacho, King, Hamer, Amartey, Slimani.

Referee: Michael Oliver.

17:05: Good evening folks, welcome to our LIVE coverage of Manchester United v Leicester.

The Red Devils have comprehensively beaten West Ham and Swansea in their opening two games, but the former Premier League champions could prove a very different opposition.

Craig Shakespeare’s side have a certain swagger this season having gone back to basics.

We’re about to find out if United are the real deal folks!

PREVIEW

MANCHESTER UNITED TEAM NEWS

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho may opt to retain the same starting XI again for tonight’s Premier League home clash with Leicester.

If Mourinho is to make any adjustment to his team after seeing the Red Devils win their opening two league matches of the season 4-0, it may be bringing in Anthony Martial, who has come off the bench to scored in both games.

Luke Shaw and Ashley Young stepped up their recoveries from injury by playing for the Under-23s this week but are not expected to be involved in the contest this weekend, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who re-signed for United on a one-year deal on Thursday, and Marcos Rojo remain sidelined by their knee problems.

LEICESTER TEAM NEWS

Captain Wes Morgan and striker Jamie Vardy could both be back in Leicester's starting line-up.

Both players were left nursing injuries following the home win over Brighton but Morgan's back complaint has eased and Vardy is fit again after a foot problem.

Danny Drinkwater (thigh) and Papy Mendy (ankle) have resumed full training while Kelechi Iheanacho has also been able to train, although Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare will err on the side of caution with the striker after his toe injury.

PROVISIONAL SQUADS

Manchester United squad: De Gea, Romero, Jones, Bailly, Smalling, Lindelof, Valencia, Blind, Darmian, Matic, Pogba, Fellaini, Herrera, Carrick, Mata, Mkhitaryan, Rashford, Martial, Lingard, Lukaku.

Leicester squad: Schmeichel, Jakupovic, Hamer, Simpson, Fuchs, Morgan, Chilwell, Maguire, Wasilewski, Benalouane, Ndidi, Amartey, Gray, Albrighton, Thomas, Mahrez, Musa, Vardy, Ulloa, Slimani, Okazaki, Iheanacho.

HISTORY

Last season: Leicester 0 Man Utd 3, Man Utd 4 Leicester 1

Last five league matches: Man Utd L D W W W; Leicester L L D L W

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