Blundering Manchester United suffer calamitous defeat at Leicester

Leicester City enjoyed a thrilling 5-3 victory over a woefully brittle Manchester United at the King Power Stadium.

United surged into a two-goal lead when Radamel Falcao crossed for Robin van Persie to head in at the back post, before Angel Di Maria scooped a wonderful shot over Kasper Schmeichel. Leicester pulled one back 14 seconds later, Leonardo Ulloa left unmarked by Rafael to head in at the near post.

Wayne Rooney had been dropped back into the number 10 role after Van Persie and Falcao started. Before the match, Louis van Gaal had described Rooney’s performances up front this season as, ‘not spectacular.’ He was little better in this role, playing at half the pace of those around him.

In the second half, United extended their lead through Ander Herrera’s flick, but Leicester pulled one back after Mark Clattenburg awarded a soft penalty for David Nugent to convert.

Two minutes later Esteban Cambiasso drilled in an equaliser; Leicester then grabbed a dramatic late victory through Jamie Vardy after more hapless United defending, which then gifted Ulloa his second when Tyler Blackett conceded a penalty and a red card.

Leicester move above United in the standings, who will bemoan some of Clattenburg's refereeing, but defended like infants.

13’ – GOAL! Leicester 0-1 Manchester United: Falcao spins his marker on the left, strides down the left wing. He curls a cross to the back post where Van Persie is waiting. His header takes a deflection and finds its way past Schmeichel.

16’ – GOAL! Leicester 0-2 Manchester United: Rooney slides the ball forward for Di Maria, and he chips a wonderful ball over Schmeichel into the net.

17’ – GOAL! Leicester 1-2 Manchester United: Vardy beats Rojo on the right, clips the ball into the box and Ulloa scores a powerful header inside the near post, with Rafael not close enough to him.

49’ – FALCAO HITS THE BAR – Rooney switches play left to Falcao, who controls the ball, shoots against the bar and Leicester escape.

57’ – GOAL! Leicester 1-3 Manchester United: Rooney hoofs a shot into a defender, it comes to Rafael who whips in another corner. The ball is worked back to Di Maria, who attempts a shot that Herrera flicks past a wrong-footed Schmeichel.

62’ – LEICESTER PENALTY - Vardy barges Rafael over on the byline, wins the ball and drives at goal. Rafael then does exactly the same to Vardy, and Clattenburg gives a penalty. Pathetic refereeing.

62’ – GOAL! Leicester 2-3 Manchester United: Nugent confidently fires his penalty high down the middle.

64’ – GOAL! Leicester 3-3 Manchester United: A long-range shot bounces off Vardy, into the path of Cambiasso, and he drills a great shot into the corner.

76’ – KING MISS - So close for Leicester. Drinkwater beats Di Maria down the right, comes inside and lays it inside for King, who takes one touch and volleys just wide.

79’ – GOAL! Leicester 4-3 Manchester United: Herrera's cross is cleared. Leicester break down the right with De Laet, and United neglect to mark Vardy down the middle. He lifts the pass into Vardy's path and the striker slots the ball into the near post.

83’ – SECOND LEICESTER PENALTY - Blackett brings down Vardy as he runs through on goal down the right, and he's sent off too.

83’ – GOAL! Leicester 5-3 Manchester United: Ulloa coolly slots his penalty to his right. United in disarray.

Manchester United have won back to back matches in the Premier League just twice in 2014.

This is the first time Manchester United have lost a game after leading a game at half time since 1 March 2011.

Leicester City have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six Premier League games.

This is Manchester United’s worst start in the Premier League ever.

What kind of leader is Wayne Rooney? Before the match Van Gaal made it clear that Rooney had asked for the number 10 role. He provided one early assist for Di Maria, but contributed nothing else until he screamed at his team-mates when they were falling apart. Good captains lead their sides back to victory after setbacks, Wayne Rooney looks like he cannot do it.

Jamie Vardy (Leicester City): He was slightly fortunate to get the penalty, but it was his constant physical presence and running that resulted in winning the equalising penalty. But he was also responsible for the winner, keeping his cool in a one-on-one against David De Gea.

Leicester City: Schmeichel 6, De Laet 6, Morgan 6, Moore 5, Konchesky 5, Hammond 6, Cambiasso 6, Nugent 6, Drinkwater 6, Vardy 8, Ulloa 7. Subs: James 6, King 7, Schlupp 6.

Manchester United: De Gea 6, Rafael 5, Evans 6, Blackett 5, Rojo 5, Blind 4, Herrera 5, Di Maria 7, Falcao 6, Rooney 4, Van Persie 6. Subs: Smalling 6, Mata 6, Januzaj 5.