Manchester United secured a much-needed 3-0 win over a struggling Leicester City side on Sunday, with Rasmus Højlund and Alejandro Garnacho finally ending their long goal droughts, while Bruno Fernandes continued his impressive form.
United, desperate to build momentum after an inconsistent season, broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when Højlund found the net for the first time since mid-December.
Leicester, lacking any real attacking threat, failed to mount a response. The contest was effectively over in the 67th minute when Garnacho fired home, scoring for the first time since late November.
Fernandes then wrapped up the victory with a stunning late strike, sealing a crucial three points that lifted Ruben Amorim’s side to 13th place, while Leicester slipped deeper into relegation trouble in 19th.
Reflecting on the performance, Fernandes told Sky Sports, “I think you can see some progress. But that has to go on and on. We have important games.”
He also emphasized his personal ambitions, “I want to score many goals as I can as it’s a big part of my game and I need to assist my teammates. I need to get onto the edge of the box and get goals as it is one of my qualities. Very pleased and very important to get the job done today.”
United began the match determined to regain some pride after a frustrating campaign. Christian Eriksen came close early on, hitting the post with a curling effort before Højlund finally ended his 22-game scoring drought.
Garnacho thought he had doubled the lead early in the second half, only for his well-taken effort to be ruled out for offside.
However, the young Argentine didn’t have to wait much longer to celebrate, latching onto a Fernandes pass before drilling home his first goal in 24 matches.
Not to be outdone, Fernandes produced a moment of brilliance late on, capping off a strong performance and continuing his rich vein of form after netting a hat trick in Thursday’s 4-1 Europa League triumph over Real Sociedad.
Leicester, meanwhile, inched closer to the drop after becoming the first team in English top-flight history to lose seven consecutive home games without scoring.
Sitting second-bottom with just 17 points from 29 matches, they remain nine points from safety.
Assessing his team’s struggles, Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy admitted, “I think in both boxes the difference in quality showed. The efficiency in finishing chances, and also defending key moments in the game.”
“Overall if you look at the metrics of the game there’s not much in it. But obviously the efficiency is there.”
With time running out, Leicester’s hopes of survival are fading fast, while United will hope this result marks the start of a more consistent run.
