United try to push forward on one last attack as they fling ball after ball into the Leicester penalty area, but no matter what they do they just can't seem to turn their possession into a chance on goal. The visitors are eventually able to clear the danger before Ulloa is brought crashing to the ground by Blind, resulting in a free-kick for the Foxes that will surely be the last action of the game.
90' +3
Fantastic goalkeeping by Schmeichel! Valencia charges down the right flank before sending a lovely through-ball into the path of Martial, but it's just about cut out by Huth before it can find the Frenchman. The defender's sliced clearance rolls over to the edge of the Leicester penalty area, however, but the Danish goalkeeper charges out and cuts out the danger with a vital sliding interception before Depay can get a shot away.
90' +2
It's all United at the moment as they continually push forward in search of what would surely be the winner, but they just can't seem to find a way through the blue shirts camped in front of them. Leicester have every single player camped behind the ball and are doing incredibly well to keep the hosts at bay.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be four minutes of added time.
88'
A. King enters the game and replaces R. Mahrez.
After spending what feels like an age eyeing up his target, Rooney eventually steps up and whips a curling shot towards goal that Schmeichel does well to punch away from danger. United quickly win themselves another free-kick that Depay fires into the wall in front of him, but Rooney is there to try and test the Danish goalkeeper with a long-range shot that is well saved once again.
87'
Leicester quickly throw on King to replace Mahrez as they look to hold on to what would be a big point under the circumstances. But will they manage to do so?
86'
D. Drinkwater gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
RED CARD! Leicester will have to play the final few minutes of the game with 10 men after Drinkwater receives his second yellow card of the game. Depay, who has made a big impact since coming on to the pitch, once again causes problems with his pace before being dragged to the ground by the midfielder just a few inches outside of the box, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a free-kick to the hosts before showing the Englishman a red card. The United players are arguing that the contact actually happened inside the penalty area, and the replays seem to indicate that it may well have done.
84'
Depay breaks down the left wing on a marauding run before being tripped over from behind by Mahrez, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a free-kick to United. Rooney steps up and fires a looping cross into the middle of the box, but Schmeichel is there to cut out the danger with a strong catch under very little pressure from red shirts.
82'
M. Depay enters the game and replaces M. Rashford.
Rashford receives a rousing round of applause from the United fans as he's replaced by Depay for the final eight minutes of the game. Can the Dutchman help the hosts find what would surely be a winning goal?
81'
And now Mata goes close! Rooney picks up the ball just outside of the United penalty area before sending a lovely through-ball into the path of Valencia. The Ecuadorian sprints into the right-hand side of the penalty area before sending a lovely cross over to the Spaniard, who is just about to meet the ball in the air but can't direct his headed effort on target.
Minute
Description
80'
What a chance for Ulloa! A determined United attacking move breaks down, allowing Leicester to fly forward on a great counter-attack thanks to good play by Albrighton. Mahrez sprints down the right wing and cuts inside before teeing up the Argentine with a chipped cross, but the striker ends up scuffing his volleyed shot up into the air and on to the head of Rooney, who then nods the ball into the hands of De Gea.
78'
Smalling hits the post! Rooney darts around just outside of the penalty area before chipping a great cross over to the far post, where it finds the centre-back. He rises high and meets the ball well before sending a bouncing header towards goal, but it ends up smashing off the outside of the woodwork after missing the fingertips of Schmeichel by the narrowest of margins.
77'
M. Albrighton enters the game and replaces J. Schlupp.
Leicester have made their second substitution of the game, with Albrighton coming on to replace Schlupp.
76'
Another interception by Morgan! Martial is starting to cause plenty of problems down the left wing, where his pace and skill is giving Leicester real problems. This time he darts past two blue shirts before whipping a low cross-cum-shot towards the six-yard box, but the big centre-back is there to stick out a foot to send the ball away from danger and out to the opposite flank.
75'
Ander Herrera enters the game and replaces M. Fellaini.
Fellaini makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Herrera for the final quarter of an hour of the game.
74'
Great block by Morgan! Once again, Rojo finds himself in plenty of space deep down the left flank before cutting inside and finding Martial. The Frenchman takes a great first touch before trying to unleash a low shot from just inside the penalty area, but the Leicester captain is there to cut out the danger with a vital block.
73'
It doesn't quite seem to be working for United, who are seeing plenty of the ball in advanced positions but are finding it difficult to do much with it. This time it's Rojo who quickly breaks down the left flank and gets himself into a good area before swinging a cross into the middle of the box, but there's nobody there to meet it and it's dealt with by Fuchs as a result.
71'
Lovely play by Mahrez! Leicester break forward on a blisteringly quick counter-attack through Mahrez, who twists and turns on the edge of the United penalty area before unleashing a looping 20-yard shot. It looks as if it's going to find the roof of the net, but De Gea does well to parry the strike away from goal with a two-fisted save.
69'
Mata battles his way down the right wing before Schlupp pokes the ball out for a corner. Blind steps up and curls a great cross straight on to the head of Fellaini, who once again is easily able to beat his marker in the air before sending a bullet header marginally wide of the Leicester goal. Both sides are finding plenty of joy from set-pieces, which will be a cause for concern for both managers.
67'
D. Gray enters the game and replaces S. Okazaki.
Leicester have made their first change of the afternoon, with Okazaki making way for Gray.
66'
W. Rooney gets yellow.
Once again, Mahrez causes plenty of problems for United as he tries to break down the left flank, but he's clattered into by Rooney and wins his side a free-kick near to the halfway line. The United captain isn't at all happy with the decision and reacts angrily to the linesman nearest to him, and as a result he becomes the latest player to be shown a yellow card.
64'
Mahrez weaves down the right wing on a great run before being clumsily tripped over by Martial, resulting in a free-kick for Leicester in a very advantageous position. Drinkwater steps up and whips in a wonderful cross that finds the head of Ulloa, but the Argentine's effort ends up fizzing just wide of the far post. He's been causing plenty of problems for the hosts since the start of the second half, and Blind is really struggling to deal with him in the air.
62'
Mata enters the game and replaces J. Lingard.
United have decided to make their first substitution of the afternoon, with Mata coming on to replace Lingard.
60'
Chance for Rooney! Kante loses the ball on the edge of the Leicester penalty area, allowing United to pick up possession in a dangerous position before Valencia whips a low cross into the box. It's just about dealt with by the visitors before the ball rolls out to the hosts' captain, but his attempted chipped shot is completely overhit and comfortably sails over the top of the crossbar and out for a goal-kick.
58'
D. Drinkwater gets yellow.
The referee's yellow card is out once again, and this time it's Drinkwater who's the culprit, as he cynically pulls back Rashford as the youngster tries to sprint down the left wing and leaves the man in charge with no choice but to reach for his pocket.
57'
M. Carrick gets yellow.
Carrick loses the ball in the middle of the pitch and immediately flies in to Schlupp to try and retrieve it, but he ends up catching the Ghanaian and sends him crashing to the ground before becoming the latest player to receive a yellow card.
56'
Schlupp trips Martial to the ground as the two battle for the ball down the right wing, resulting in a free-kick for United. It's taken short and worked over to Lingard, who then tries to play a quick one-two with Rashford on the edge of the box, but the striker's looping pass is easily cut out by Drinkwater before it can find the young winger.
55'
Leicester have started the second half really well and are firmly on the front foot as they continue to put United's back line under an incredible amount of pressure. A lofted pass is flung forward and finds Okazaki on the edge of the box, and the striker does well to nod it down to Ulloa. The Argentine immediately unleashes a thumping, first-time shot, but it takes a deflection off the foot of Blind that sends it out for a corner. Once again, the set-piece finds Ulloa in a dangerous position, but his header fails to trouble De Gea and flies several yards wide of the far post.
53'
J. Lingard gets yellow.
A heavy touch from Lingard sends the ball straight to Drinkwater, who then tries to kick-start a quick Leicester counter-attack. The visitors initially move the ball around well before Schlupp tries to sprint down the left wing, but his run is broughto to an end by the United youngster, who receives a yellow card as a result.
52'
Two good chances for Leicester! Mahrez and Simpson link up well midway down the right wing before the latter takes advantage of poor defending from Rojo to penetrate the penalty area. He then tries to tee up Okazaki with a deft pass towards the edge of the six-yard box, but the ball ends up taking a slight knick of Carrick which sends it rolling out for a corner. The set-piece is sent straight on to the head of Ulloa, but the Argentine's effort ends up looping over the top of the crossbar.
50'
Schlupp twists and turns on the left wing before firing a very dangerous cross into the heart of the United penalty area. Okazaki does well to rise high and almost meets the ball ahead of Smalling, but the centre-back beats him to it before earning his side a free-kick after receiving a push from the Japanese striker.
48'
Chance for Martial! Fellaini does well to chest down a throw-in on the left-hand side of the Leicester penalty area before spinning and finding the French forward, who then quickly penetrates the box before curling a shot past Schmeichel but just over the top of the crossbar.
47'
Leicester quickly push forward down the left wing before earning themselves a corner, which Fuchs swings straight on to the head of Morgan. Once again, the defender beats his marker with ease before sending a bouncing header towards goal, but De Gea is just about able to cut out the danger before Ulloa can get a foot on the ball just a yard or so off the line.
46'
And we're underway once again!
45' +1
It's all United at the moment as they continue to put Leicester under plenty of pressure. Martial and Rooney work the ball around well just outside of the box before Lingard and Valencia play a lovely one-two between themselves deep down the right wing. The young Englishman then chips a deft cross into the heart of the penalty area, but, not for the first time today, there's nobody there to meet it and it can only find a blue shirt.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.
43'
And now it's United that are on the front foot! Ball after ball is flung into the Leicester penalty area but the visitors are just about able to deal with the initial danger, with a 20-yard strike from Rooney being closed down well by Drinkwater. Valencia then picks up the ball on the right wing before cutting inside and firing a low shot towards goal, but this time it's Huth who sticks out a foot to stop the effort from testing Schmeichel.
41'
It's all Leicester at the moment as they desperately push forward in search of a second goal. Ulloa, who has been largely quiet thus far but is now coming to life, breaks towards the edge of the penalty area before teeing up Drinkwater, but the midfielder's low shot is deflected out of play for a corner. The set-piece once again finds Morgan, who easily beats Rojo in the middle of the box, but this time the defender's header ends up clearing the top of the crossbar by quite some distance.
39'
It's all going on inside the United penalty area! First, Schlupp cuts inside from the left wing before forcing De Gea into making a last-gasp, flapping save with a curling cross-cum-shot that causes the Spaniard plenty of problems. The ball then bounces out to Mahrez, who immediately goes down after clashing with Rojo, but the referee isn't at all interested in his protestations and waves for play to go on.
37'
Simpson charges down the right flank before teeing up Mahrez, who takes a couple of quick touches before curling a wonderful cross into the heart of the penalty area. Ulloa makes a great run into the box and does well to meet the ball ahead of Smalling, but he's unable to direct his headed effort towards goal and it ends up looping several yards over the top of the crossbar.
35'
Rojo does well to out-muscle Mahrez in the middle of the pitch before dispossessing the Algerian and kick-starting a United counter-attack. The hosts work the ball forward quickly before Lingard battles furiously with Fuchs on the right-hand side of the penalty area, but the Austrian comes out on top before having to concede a corner. The set-piece is curled to the far post, where it finds Fellaini, but the Belgian is unable to get enough power behind his effort and it's easily stopped by Schmeichel as a result.
33'
United come back at Leicester once again and continue finding joy down the left wing. Rashford cuts into the penalty area and weaves his way towards goal before unleashing a low cross-cum-shot, but it ends up deflecting off the foot of Morgan before Schmeichel does well to stop the ball from rolling out of play for a corner.
31'
Big call by the referee! Simpson picks up the ball on the halfway line and completely mishits an attempted pass over to Drinkwater. It's easily cut out by Lingard, who then sprints towards the Leicester penalty area whilst battling with the right-back, but the latter is just about able to come out on top before Schmeichel rushes out to clear the danger. The young United winger goes down on the edge of the box and screams for a free-kick, but the referee isn't at all interested and allows play to go on.
29'
Vital block by Valencia! Ulloa muscles his way inside from the right wing before teeing up Mahrez, who then weaves his way towards the edge of the penalty area before finding Schlupp. The Ghanaian takes two quick touches and then fires a thumping low shot that the Ecuadorian does well to send over the top of the crossbar with an outstretched foot.
27'
Lingard and Valencia link up well deep down the right flank before the latter flicks the ball off the shin of Fuchs and out for a corner. Blind sends the set-piece short before Martial tries to curl a cross towards the penalty spot, but it's underhit and Leicester's left-back is comfortably able to clear the danger and bring an end to a promising chance for United.
25'
United patiently pass the ball around midway inside the Leicester half of the pitch as they try to find a way through the sea of blue shirts camped in front of them. Rooney eventually sends the ball out to the left wing, where it finds Rojo, and the Argentine then quickly curls a dangerous cross into the middle of the penalty area. There's nobody there to meet it, however, and Huth is able to clear the ball away from danger with a diving header.
23'
A loose ball bounces around on the edge of the Leicester penalty area before Martial is clattered into by Huth, resulting in a free-kick for United in an incredibly dangerous position just a few yards outside of the box. Rooney steps up and tries to curl a strike towards the top left-hand corner of the net, but it's completely underhit by the captain and ends up flying straight into the head of Morgan.
21'
Fellaini muscles his way down the right flank and battles hard with Fuchs before earning his side a corner. It's swung towards the back post and looks set to find the Belgian completely unmarked in front of goal, but Ulloa is just about able to get a head on the ball to send it bouncing away from the big midfielder, who has been a real nuisance thus far.
19'
Chance for Rooney! Once again, Fellaini causes the Leicester defenders plenty of problems with his height and strength, but his attempted header towards Rashford is cut out by Kante. The Frenchman can't clear the danger fully, however, and the United captain is able to pick up the ball just outside of the box before scuffing a shot a few yards wide of the far post.
17'
W. Morgan has scored a goal for Leicester City! Assist by D. Drinkwater.
Assist Danny Drinkwater
GOAL! Leicester have equalised! Drinkwater does exactly that, as he lifts a wonderful cross straight into the heart of the United penalty area, where it finds Morgan. The Leicester captain out-muscles Rojo far too easily before rising high in the air and sending a bouncing header past the outstretched limbs of De Gea and into the back of the net. What a response from the league leaders!
16'
Leicester patiently work their way down the left flank before Schlupp cuts inside and tries to flick the ball on to Ulloa, but he's clattered into by Carrick and is quickly awarded a free-kick by the referee. It's in a really dangerous position 30 yards away from the United goal, so Drinkwater will surely be looking to place this right on to the head of one of his centre-backs.
14'
Great save by Schmeichel! Rojo is left in acres of space on the left wing, allowing him to control the ball before chipping a wonderful cross over to the far post. It finds Fellaini, who rises high before nodding the ball down to Rashford, and the youngster immediately unleashes an almighty first-time strike. It looks set for the bottom right-hand corner of the net, but the Leicester goalkeeper does wonderfully well to parry the shot away with a strong left hand.
12'
Chance for Okazaki! Kante twists and turns through a sea of red shirts in the middle of the park before being tripped over by Fellaini, resulting in a free-kick for Leicester just inside the United half of the pitch. Drinkwater chips a lofted pass over to the far post, where Mahrez brings the ball down before fizzing a cross right on to the head of Okazaki, but it's hit slightly too hard for the Japanese striker and, as a result, his effort ends up looping wide of the goal.
10'
Leicester immediately try to push forward from the restart and do well to earn themselves a free-kick in a promising position on the left wing. Fuchs steps up and tries to curl a cross into the heart of the United penalty area, but it's completely overhit by the Austrian and sails comfortably out of play for a goal-kick.
8'
A. Martial has scored a goal for Manchester United! Assist by A. Valencia.
Assist Luis Antonio Valencia Mosquera
GOAL! What a start for United! Lingard breaks towards the edge of the Leicester box before teeing up Valencia, who then skips past Fuchs far too easily and chips a cross towards the back post. It's wonderfully hit and meets Martial in acres of space, and the Frenchman immediately slots a lovely side-footed strike under Schmeichel and into the back of the net to give the hosts an early 1-0 lead.
7'
Leicester are finally able to spend some time on the ball after weathering an early storm from United, and Ulloa charges forward before being hauled to the ground by Fellaini deep inside the visitors' half of the pitch. It's poorly taken by Schmeichel, however, and the hosts are easily able to win back possession near to the halfway line.
6'
Lingard weaves his way towards the edge of the Leicester penalty area after linking up well with Rooney in the middle of the pitch. The youngster then pokes a pass over to Rashford, who takes a quick touch before unleashing a thumping low strike. It's well hit but Huth is there to throw his body in the way to stop it from troubling Schmeichel.
4'
Leicester aren't able to clear the danger away fully and, as a result, United come back at them once again. This time Lingard is able to whip in a better cross after finding himself in a pocket of space just outside of the penalty area on the right flank, but Martial's run towards goal is slightly mistimed and the linesman's flag is quickly raised for offside as soon as the forward makes contact with the ball.
3'
United embark on a patient attacking move as they move the ball around well inside the Leicester half of the pitch. Valencia eventually charges down the right wing before looking to cut inside, but Kante is there to dispossess the full-back. The Frenchman's attempted clearance can only find Lingard, however, but the youngster's attempted pass over to Rooney is poor and is easily cut out by Drinkwater on the edge of the penalty area.
1'
And we're off! United get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Premier League game between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford.
The story of Leicester’s rise from the threat of relegation to being just one win away from lifting the Premier League title is a modern-day miracle, and it is one that has put Claudio Ranieri on the cusp of making history. The Italian has overseen a fantastic turnaround since taking over from Nigel Pearson last summer, and he has built on the former manager’s good work to turn his side into one that has constantly impressed over the course of what has arguably been the most incredible season that English football has ever seen. A record of 22 wins and just three defeats so far this campaign means that Leicester now need one more victory to claim the most unlikely of league titles, and they will no doubt be full of confidence and belief about their chances of being able to do so here today thanks to their recent run of form. Despite having to line up without Jamie Vardy for the first time since last March, they comfortably thrashed Swansea City 4-0 in an almighty rout seven days ago that extended their unbeaten run to nine games, seven of which have ended in victories. As a result, the Foxes are in the perfect position to wrap up the title this afternoon, and what better place to do it than such a wonderful and historic venue as Old Trafford?
However, it isn’t going to be easy for Leicester, as despite suffering another underwhelming season, United head into today’s clash in impressive form and will be looking for a fifth win in six Premier League games to keep alive their slim chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. As the season has gone on, things have certainly improved for Louis van Gaal’s men, who, whilst not looking quite as good as the United of old, are performing far better than they were earlier in the Dutchman’s reign. Just one of their last nine clashes in all competitions has ended in a defeat, whilst a victory today would extend their winning run to five games for the first time since November 2014. However, despite boasting the best points-per-game ratio at home this campaign, United’s struggles in front of goal have been particularly frustrating at Old Trafford, which has seen fewer goals scored than any other top-flight stadium. Defensively, the Red Devils have impressed (especially at home, where they have conceded just seven times in the league this season) but the difficulties that they have faced at the other end of the pitch could prove to be a problem today, as they must face a Leicester side that boasts an equally solid and well-organised back line.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…
Leicester City substitutes: Schwarzer, Chilwell, Wasilewski, Amartey, King, Albrighton, Gray.
Leicester City XI (4-4-2): Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez, Kante, Drinkwater, Schlupp; Okazaki, Ulloa.
Manchester United substitutes: Romero, Fosu-Mensah, Darmian, Schneiderlin, Herrera, Mata, Depay.
Manchester United XI (4-1-4-1): De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Carrick, Lingard, Fellaini, Rooney, Martial; Rashford.
Louis van Gaal has decided to make just one change to the United side that won against Everton in dramatic fashion in the FA Cup last weekend, with Antonio Valencia replacing Timothy Fosu-Mensah, who drops to the substitutes’ bench.
Meanwhile, Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has named an unchanged side to the one that started the thumping of Swansea seven days ago, with Shinji Okazaki and Leonardo Ulloa, who scored twice last weekend, once again leading the line.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off. Both sets of fans are in fine voice, but the Leicester supporters in particular are making the atmosphere inside the stadium an electric one.
HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 1-1 LEICESTER CITY
What a first half that was! Both sides are really going for it and impressing whenever they push forward, so it's no wonder that the tie is still on a knife-edge as we head into the half-time break. United got the perfect start when Martial latched on to a Valencia cross before slotting the ball under Schmeichel, but Leicester showed great grit and determination to fight back and equalise through Morgan, who took advantage of poor defending to beat De Gea. Since then, the two teams have been fighting tooth and nail to find a way back in front, but with 45 minutes left to play, this game could still go either way.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 1-1 LEICESTER CITY
Despite their best efforts, Leicester's wait for the Premier League title goes on after being held to what was, under the circumstances, a good point. After going behind so early it looked as if they may be on course for a rare defeat, but they fought back valiantly and caused plenty of problems for United during a second half in which both sides were battling hard for that all-important second goal. In the end, neither could find it, meaning that Claudio Ranieri's men must now wait for the league crown until at least tomorrow, when a win for Chelsea against Tottenham Hotspur would confirm their victory.
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