Premier League 2019/20: Leicester City vs Manchester United – tactical analysis

Leicester City were among the title contenders back in December 2019. They even had a 14-point gap over Manchester United in the Premier League up until February. Then, the unwanted hiatus came and everything turned upside down. The Red Devils fixed their consistency issues, while the Foxes somehow were running out of gas in the most crucial time of the season.

Both teams then had to face each other in the penultimate game of this campaign. The stake was even higher because both Leicester and United needed a positive result to secure a UEFA Champions League ticket for 2020/2021. Yet, the home side fell short after two sloppy mistakes. Without further ado, this tactical analysis will inform you how the match unfolded.

Lineups

Brendan Rodgers opted for 3–5–2 despite a heavy defeat to Tottenham Hotspur using a three-back system last week. He probably chose this cautious system due to the absence of Leicester’s first-option defenders. The trio of James Justin, Wes Morgan, and Jonny Evans was chosen to start at the heart of the defence. Upfront, Jamie Vardy was partnered by Kelechi Ịheanachọ to lead the home side’s attacking line. Their bench was filled with names like Demarai Gray, Harvey Barnes, Ayoze Pérez, Dennis Praet, and George Hirst.

Oppositely, Ole Gunnar Solskjær went for the regular 4–2–3–1 in this game. The defensive duet of Victor Lindelöf and Harry Maguire started in the backline while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams provided width in the flanks. In the attacking line, Solskjær still relied on Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, as well as the teenage sensation Mason Greenwood. Players like Jesse Lingard, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Odion Ighalo, and Scott McTominay had to start the game from the bench.