Leicester 0 Manchester United 3: Watch highlights as Juan Mata escapes red card then scores as goals from the Spaniard, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic leave Claudio Ranieri’s job hanging by a thread

LEICESTER were booed off at the King Power Stadium as a 3-0 hammering by Manchester United left Claudio Ranieri fearing for his job.

But it could have all been different if Juan Mata had seen red for a forceful challenge on Jamie Vardy.

7

After only being shown a booking by referee Anthony Taylor for what Jamie Carragher called an "orange card tackle", former Chelsea star Mata had the audacity to score United's third goal in a one-sided victory.

It was hardly the luck Claudio Ranieri needed after admitting before the match that he could be sacked.

United made the most of Mata's reprieve and punished the Foxes in the 42nd minute, when Mkhitaryan tapped the ball past Robert Huth and charged through on goal to fire at Kasper Schmeichel.

7

7

7

Playing against the club where his father made his name, the Dane was beaten by the pace of the shot as it cannoned off his body and into the net.

And a minute later things got worse for Leicester as Zlatan Ibrahimovic latched onto Antonio Valencia's cross and fired a low shot through Wes Morgan's legs and past the Foxes goalkeeper.

That strike meant the Swede became the oldest player to score 15 goals in a Premier League season.

With everything going against Leicester, it seemed inevitable that Mata would grab a goal at some point.

Related Stories

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED

Decisions going FOR Mourinho as United close gap - but Leicester defensive woes could spell doom

look at me

Paul Pogba wears boots with his own picture on for Manchester United clash with Leicester

where are roo?

Wayne Rooney absent from Manchester United squad for clash with Leicester

'It is possible'

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri admits he could be sensationally SACKED after winning title

In the 49th minute, the Spaniard was played onside by Wes Morgan, as he received a brilliant pass from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and slotted home to make it 3-0.

Mata should have scored a 4th United goal when he was put clean through, but sent a tame chip into the arms of Schmeichel.

That was the only downside of a fantastic afternoon for Jose Mourinho's men which puts them right back into the race for a Champions League place.

STATS, FACTS, GOALS & LOLS

• That is 20 in 30 starts for Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the 35-year-old continues to show that age is just a number.
• After three league draws this really was a must win for United who are now 15 unbeaten in the league.
• The two goals in two minutes just before the break really stunned the Leicester fans who had been up for the visit of Jose Mourinho’s men.
  

  

  7
• They are understandably reticent to turn on the Champions after what they did last season but there was a smattering of boos at the break.
• You can’t help feeling a bit sad for the demise of Claudio Ranieri’s men as this season is proof that it was a freak last season not an open door to give hope to everyone.
• Jose Mourinho was right to hold Mkhitaryan back until he thought he was ready for the Premier League and the benefit is coming now.
• Wayne Rooney missed today’s game because he was ill.
  

  

  7

• Some City fans had literally just sat down after the half-time break when they upped and left as Mata plundered United’s third.
• Leicester fans will argue that Mata was lucky still to be on the pitch after his sliding tackle on Jamie Vardy in the 27^th minute caught the Leicester striker on the ankle and sent him spinning into the air. It was only a booking.

BIG PICTURE

7

SOCIAL SAYS

WHAT THEY SAID

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri believes his side are bereft of confidence.

He told the BBC: "We have to score, play together and never give up.

"It is important now to get the confidence.

"Last season everything was right and the players got confidence, now they are anxious. We need to react every time.

"We're together. I'm happy with the players and they're happy with me. We have to stay together and keep fighting."

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho said the Red Devils deserved a bit of luck with Juan Mata's red card.

He told Sky Sports: "I have to look on TV but if I compare with what Bravo did in the Man City game and what Niasse did for Hull then there is no comparison.

"If we look at the whole season everything is going against us."

The Special one was also happy with United's performance, but told the BBC it was no better than in other games his team have failed to win.

He commented: "I think we played like we normally play. We played well and tried to win.

"They were a difficult team but that is something we are used too."