Man Utd player ratings: Heaven thrives before devastating injury as Hojlund impresses but Eriksen frustrated in win
MANCHESTER UNITED leapfrogged Tottenham into 13th in the Premier League by beating Leicester.
Rasmus Hojlund was left to run in behind and shoot low into the bottom corner from an angle to open the scoring on 28 minutes.
The Danish striker had not found the net since December 12 – a run of 21 matches.
Alejandro Garnacho saw a goal chalked off for offside but there was no taking his snap-shot finish off him on 67 minutes.
And skipper Bruno Fernandes rounded off the comfortable 3-0 win in style in the closing stages.
Here’s how SunSport’s Graham Hill rated Ruben Amorim’s men at the King Power…
ANDRE ONANA – 6
The United goalkeeper was a doubt for the game as he was struggling with an eye injury.
But he was passed fit for a game in which he was barely called on to make a save.
It meant he kept up his record of starting every Premier League game since signing for United in the summer of 2023.
He did well to deny Leicester skipper Jamie Vardy early on – and again deep into stoppage time.
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But the defence in front of him made sure he was not called upon too often.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 7
Always alert to danger, as he showed with 15 minutes to go when he stopped Leicester ending their run of six home defeats without scoring a single goal.
Seven games is a new record – but the Dutchman’s brilliant clearance from Leicester sub Facundo Buonanotte made sure of the clean sheet.
That crowned a performance where he barely put a foot wrong all night.
VICTOR LINDELOF – 7
Looked commanding in the early stages, but he got into an early mix-up with Onana which could have led to a goal.
However, it went unpunished by a Leicester side severely lacking in confidence when it comes to finding the net.
That turned out to be a blip in an otherwise calm and collected performance.
AYDEN HEAVEN – 7
It was a bittersweet night for the 18-year-old who was awarded his full Premier League debut after playing against Real Sociedad in midweek.
But he was worryingly carried off on a stretcher after pulling up off the pitch as he tried to intercept a ball in the United area.
He had looked controlled and confident at the heart of United’s defence until then – snuffing out any threat from Leicester in the early stages.
He was particularly impressive when he put his body on the line to twice block shots from Leicester striker Patson Daka.
No doubt there will be an update on his injury later.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6
Moved into the centre-back role after Heaven was taken off injured. Toby Collyer took his place at right wing-back.
He found Vardy difficult to deal with at times, as the 38-year-old striker showed he was still capable of worrying the defence.
But he dealt with the switch relatively comfortably as United held firm at the back.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 8
The skipper scored an excellent goal late on to crown another outstanding display.
He continued his rich vein of form by providing the pinpoint pass for Hojlund to score the opening goal – although he did owe a lot to some atrocious defending from a doomed Leicester City.
The Portugal star oozed class and never seemed to stop running. He was rewarded in the 90th minute with his 17th goal of the season.
MANUEL UGARTE – 6
Solid performance which included a sensational clearance towards the end of the first half when it looked as though goal-shy Leicester might actually find the net.
But, in the end, he was subbed with 20 minutes left as Amorim tried to inject some life into what had become a slightly static United performance.
The move paid off as United upped their game in the closing stages.
DIOGO DALOT – 7
Had been relatively effective, but unspectacular until the last minute.
He found space on the right, looked up and fizzed across a low pass for Fernandes to finish the game.
Dalot produced a real 90-minute display and showed he should not have been allowed the space Leicester somehow managed to give him.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 7
Nice finish after 68 minutes for United’s second goal – and it was his first Premier League goal in over four months.
That was also against Leicester – but it was also his last action of the night as he was subbed straight after.
He looked to have scored United’s second goal of the night when he collected a pass from Hojlund and found the far corner.
But his celebrations were cut short when he saw the flag go up.
He had been quiet up until that point, but if he had timed his run better it would have been allowed.
That said, Hojlund probably delayed his pass for too long.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6
Almost opened the scoring with a superb curling shot that hit the inside of the far post.
But it was a frustrating night for the Dane.
He did little wrong, but the manager had seen enough with 20 minutes left as he decided to make wholesale changes.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 7
Took his chance well for the opening goal, some generous work from the Leicester defence allowed him the space he needed.
He still had to get past Mads Hermansen in the Foxes goal though – but he remained calm and found the far corner.
It was a much-needed strike for the Dane – he had not scored in the Premier League for over three months.
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TOBY COLLYER (for Heaven, 51mins) – 6
Came on six minutes into the second half due to the bad injury to Heaven.
Like Mazraoui, he was tested by Vardy in the second half, but stuck to his task.
CASEMIRO (for Ugarte, 69mins) – 6
Played his part in an improved second-half display, made a difference when he came on.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE: (for Eriksen, 69mins) – 6
Managed to get wound up following a challenge by Leicester defender Wout Faes, but looked a threat when he came on.
HARRY AMASS: (for Garnacho, 69mins) – 6
Impressive cameo from 18-year-old when he came on, looked good on the ball.