Staff Reporter.
Manchester United unbeaten run away from home in the Premier League was brought to an end after they slumped to a 4-2 defeat at Leicester City on Saturday.
The defeat ends United’s English league record 29-game unbeaten run away from home.
It all started so well for United when Mason Greenwood’s brilliant long-range strike put them in front after 18 minutes but Leicester were level before half-time when the returning Harry Maguire, who had a nightmare afternoon, was robbed by Kelechi Iheanacho to set up Youri Tielemans for a sweeping finish.
Leicester City were vastly superior after the break and went ahead when Caglar Soyuncu sparked a flurry of late goals when he pounced in a goalmouth scramble with 12 minutes to go.
Marcus Rashford, back as a substitute after three months out following shoulder surgery, looked to have got United out of the hole when he ran on to Victor Lindelof’s long ball to apply an emphatic finish four minutes later.
It was a sign of just how bad United were that they were behind again straight from the restart when Ayoze Perez pulled the ball back for Jamie Vardy to flash a finish high past David de Gea.
There was to be no comeback this time and Patson Daka bundled in at the far post for the fourth in stoppage time.
Meanwhile Raheem Sterling could not mark his return to Manchester City’s starting line-up with a goal but Kevin de Bruyne made certain his side still beat Burnley after Bernardo Silva’s early strike.
City had won 5-0 on each of the Clarets’ past four visits to Etihad Stadium and it seemed like a similar scoreline was on the cards when the impressive Silva followed up Phil Foden’s shot to give the home side an early lead.
There was to be no glut of goals on this occasion, however. Although City dominated possession and created plenty of chances, they failed to extend their advantage, giving the visitors hope.
Burnley gave them a few scares before De Bruyne added a second goal with 20 minutes to go, curling his shot home when the ball broke to him inside the box.
Sterling made only his third league start of the season – having been recalled at the end of a week where he spoke publicly about being open to a move abroad if he failed to get more game time at City.
He struggled to make an impact in the first half while playing as the central attacker in City’s front three, managing only 11 touches – by far the lowest of any of their outfield players – and only one shot, which was blocked.
Sterling was far more involved when he switched to the left flank after the break but was unable to add to his tally of one league goal in 2021-22 and it was down to De Bruyne to finish the game off.
The win moves City into second place, a point behind leaders Liverpool. Burnley remain in the bottom three, still without a league win this season.
Premier League Results:
Watford 0 – 5 Liverpool.
Aston Villa 2 – 3 Wolves.
Norwich 0 – 0 Brighton.
Leeds 0 – 1 Southampton.
Leceister 4 – 2 Manchester United.
Manchester City 2 -0 Burnley.