Iheanacho double helps Leicester dump sloppy Man Utd out in quarters

Iheanacho.Leicester.TEAMtalk

Man Utd were punished for producing one of their most underwhelming performances of the season as Leicester advanced to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sprang somewhat of a surprise pre-match by naming Man Utd talisman Bruno Fernandes on the bench despite the occasion.

His absence afforded a rare start for Donny van de Beek, but neither he nor Leicester could make an impact on an even opening 15 minutes.

The game’s first major opportunity fell to Jamie Vardy after Man Utd twice surrendered possession cheaply.

The veteran forward latched on to an errant Harry Maguire clearance, but Dean Henderson was equal to his curling strike.

With the game seemingly drifting on aimlessly, Leicester were gifted an opening goal after more sloppiness from the Red Devils.

Attempting to play out from the back, Fred’s underhit his backpass to hand Kelechi Iheanacho a golden opportunity. The in-form striker rounded Henderson before tapping into the empty net to put his side ahead.

Their lead would not last long as the Red Devils restored parity with a rare foray into the final third.

Paul Pogba got the better of Wesley Fofana down the left before his bobbled cross was launched into the danger area.

Van de Beek received a call to leave it and obliged to allow Mason Greenwood to sweep home inside the far post to make it 1-1.

Ayoze Perez came close to restoring the Foxes’lead on the stroke of half time. The Spaniard’s radar was slightly off, however, ensuring the game remained tied at the break.

Youri Tielemans lit up the second half in style when putting his side back in front with a superb solo goal.

The Belgian was allowed to march towards goal uncontested before drilling a low shot into the bottom corner.

Their lead was almost doubled moments later, but Jamie Vardy uncharacteristically failed to find the target.

Wilfred Ndidi recovered possession instantaneously following a Man Utd throw. The ball was quickly fed to Vardy who waltzed past Harry Maguire before firing a low strike narrowly wide of the post.

Man Utd were labouring towards a quarter final exit, but Solskjaer would not go down without a fight.

A quadruple substitution was made as first-team regulars Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay, Fernandes and Edinson Cavani were all introduced to the action.

Their impact was minimal before Iheanacho continued his remarkable run of form by adding a second.

The striker was left unmarked at the far post from a free-kick before bundling the ball over the line with his shoulder from close range.

Fernandes stung the palms of Kasper Schmeichel as the game entered it’s final stages. In truth, it was too little too late on a disappointing evening for the visitors.

Man Utd continued to push, but the time was against them as Leicester ultimately emerged with a 3-1 victory.

Their reward is a semi-final tie with Southampton after the draw was made during half-time.