Leicester City stunned the in-form Manchester United with a 5-3 win after coming back from two goals down early on and in the second half as they continued their great start to life on their return to the Premier League. Robin van Persie got on the scoresheet for the first time this season with a deflected back-post header on 13 minutes courtesy of a clipped cross from Falcao. Angel di Maria followed the opener just a couple of minutes later with an exquisite chip which left Kasper Schmeichel completely stranded in net. However, the two clubs Argentine transfer record breakers exchanged goals as Leonardo Ulloa headed the Foxes back into the match almost instantly with his fourth Premier League goal from five games. Ander Herrera continued his fantastic goalscoring form for United in the second half as Louis van Gaals side battled to wrap up the points with a studious back heel from close range. Leicester were then gifted a penalty when Rafael was adjudged to have brought down Jamie Vardy in the penalty area just five minutes later. David Nugent duly applied the finish from the penalty spot to reduce the Foxes arrears. Esteban Cambiasso popped up just moments later to bring the sides level as the veteran Argentine stuck a half volley past United goalkeeper David de Gea to draw the sides level on 64 minutes when the visitors were still rocked by the previous goal. Jamie Vardy broke the offside trap with ten minutes left and continued a fantastic comeback for the Foxes and supplied a calm finish. After having one of his best games in a Manchester United shirt, Tyler Blackett was sent off for denying Jamie Vardy a goalscoring opportunity. Leonardo Ulloa added a second goal from Leicesters second penalty to complete the stunning victory. Juan Mata was the victim to Radamel Falcaos arrival into the starting eleven as the Colombian made his full debut at Walkers Stadium. Luke Shaw was made to wait for his first-team debut after playing 45 minutes for the under-21s on Monday night. Chris Smalling returned to the squad after a groin injury and had to make do with a place on the bench. However, he was soon called into action on the half hour mark following Jonny Evans back injury. Louis van Gaal continued with the diamond formation that served United so well last weekend in the 4-0 win over QPR with Wayne Rooney dropping back to behind Falcao and Van Persie. For the home side, Champions League winner Esteban Cambiasso made his full debut in a tinkered 4-3-3 formation as he partnered former United midfielder Danny Drinkwater and Dean Hammond. Belgian full-back Ritchie de Laet was one of two other Leicester players with connections to Old Trafford as he continued his 100% appearance record this season alongside Matt James who came on for the last fifteen minutes. Jamie Vardy made his first full Premier League appearance, replacing Jeffrey Schlupp. The underdogs started off the better of the two sides and were into their passing stride a lot quicker than the renamed Gaalacticos. The Red Devils provided the best chance of the games opening embers as Angel di Maria slid goalless Robin van Persie through on goal but he was thwarted by Kasper Schmeichel. Minutes later, the Danish goalkeeper was thwarted by his own defence as Falcao floated a cross onto the back post for Robin van Persie. The Dutchman headed his first goal of the season thanks in part to a defensive deflection from Liam Moore. Angel di Maria swiftly added to the visitors tally as Wayne Rooney gave the Argentine the ball with a back four to run at. The winger, who marked his debut at home to QPR with a goal, added a second in as many games with a beautiful lob over Kasper Schmeichel. The Leicester number one stood no chance as Uniteds class began to shine through in what was an average start. Leicesters £8 million man Leonardo Ulloa immediately dragged the Foxes kicking and screaming back into the contest with a header. It was the Argentines fourth goal in five league matches as he continued to prove that he was adjusting well to life at the pinnacle of the English game. Jonny Evans went down suffering a back injury in the first half which meant restoring Chris Smalling early on from his injury. There were concerns for Angel di Maria who was launched onto the concrete surrounding the pitch by Ritchie de Laet. He would return to the pitch following bandaging applied to his wrist. Marcos Rojo almost continued Uniteds great run of the arrivals scoring goals from a corner taken superbly by Angel di Maria. The Argentine World Cup finalist could only head over the bar from inside the six-yard box though. Whilst United were claiming half chances and the two goals to their name, Leicester continued to look dangerous going forward. Dave Nugent and Jamie Vardy provided pace on the wings which tormented a defence which was transitioning to suit Chris Smallings arrival. Danny Drinkwater had a speculative volley sail harmlessly over the bar whilst Tyler Blackett was proving his worth as a solid force in the revamped back four. United started the second half a lot brighter than their opponents as Falcao came within inches of opening his United account. Wayne Rooney clipped a neat ball into the Colombian on the edge of the area and, like di Maria in the first half, attempted an audacious strike, volleying over Schmeichel which had the Dane beaten. Unfortunately, the woodwork denied the forward a dream full debut. The Red Devils soon added a third goal with Ander Herreras second goal in as many games in his recent run in the side. The Spaniard flicked in an initial effort goalwards which outfoxed Kasper Schmeichel from point blank range. When it seemed Leicester were down and out of the tie, Mark Clattenburg awarded Leicester a generous penalty decision when Jamie Vardy was adjudged to have been tripped by Rafael. David Nugent clipped the penalty home to restore the one goal deficit. Soon they were level from a half-volley from veteran midfielder Esteban Cambiasso to draw the newly promoted outfit level in a frantic three minutes. Andy King, having come on for Esteban Cambiasso with twenty minutes left on the clock, almost turned the game completely on its head with a low volley which whistled just past the post. Jamie Vardy was more clinical a few minutes later, though, after springing the offside trap against an attacking Manchester United side committed to finding a winner. The forward, making his full Premier League debut, applied a calm finish to put Leicester 4-3 up with eleven minutes remaining. The comeback wasnt over even at that point, when Leonardo Ulloa scored from a second Leicester penalty after Tyler Blackett was sent off for the visitors. Leicester City (4-3-3): Schmeichel; de Laet, Morgan, Moore, Konchesky; Hammond, Cambiasso (King 72), Drinkwater; Nugent (James 75), Vardy (Schlupp 85), Ulloa Subs Not Used: Hamer, Schlupp, Mahrez, Wasilewski, Wood Booked: De Laet 33 Goals: Ulloa 18, 83 pen, Nugent 62 pen, Cambiasso 64, Vardy 79 Manchester United (4-3-3): De Gea; Rafael, Blackett, Evans (Smalling 30), Rojo; Blind, Herrera, Di Maria (Mata 76); Rooney, Falcao (Januzaj 72), Van Persie Subs Not Used: Lindegaard, Shaw, Fletcher, Valencia Booked: Rooney 83 Sent Off: Blackett 83 Goals: Van Persie 13, Di Maria 16, Herrera 57
I am an aspiring journalist with a degree in Media Studies and a passion for all things sport -- especially football and Manchester United. I am a former season ticket holder at Old Trafford and have been a Red Devil since 1998.
