Leicester City 2-2 Manchester United: Foxes earn a late point

Leicester City twice came from behind to deny Manchester United a record-equalling 11th consecutive away win in the Premier League on Saturday.

Bruno Fernandes had given United the lead with just over 10 minutes left when he latched on to substitute Edinson Cavani’s through ball and finished past Kasper Schmeichel.

Marcus Rashford opened the scoring when he got on the end of Fernandes’ pass to slide in his 50th top-flight goal, before Harvey Barnes hit a fine first-half equaliser.

The result at the King Power Stadium ended United’s 10-match winning league run on the road – one short of the record set by Chelsea in 2008.

Both sides retained their pre-match position in the table, with Leicester three points behind leaders Liverpool and one ahead of third-placed United.

Boxing Day honours even

The day after Christmas is renowned for turkey sandwiches and Premier League football, and the opening match of the festive schedule served up a treat.

Both managers acknowledged their opponents’ counter-attacking threat pre-match, and it did not take long for the first chance to come.

Rashford should have given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United side the lead in the second minute when Fernandes clipped the ball towards the back post, but the unmarked England forward headed wastefully over the bar.

Just a minute later, the Foxes surged down the other end and the impressive James Justin fired in a fierce cross for Vardy, but Victor Lindelof was able to clear the danger.

That theme continued for the rest of the contest as the teams second and third in the table ultimately cancelled each other out.

Brendan Rodgers’ hosts had slightly more possession but United, who have the best away record in the division, managed to produce one more shot.

Half-century up for Rashford

Rashford has led by example off the pitch this year, having successfully campaigned for the government to extend free school meals during the coronavirus pandemic and winning a special BBC Sports Personality award.

The 23-year-old has also been exceptional on the pitch and became the third-youngest United player to reach 50 Premier League goals – behind Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, he will surely be disappointed to have left Leicester without the match ball.

He recovered well from his bad early miss to collect Fernandes’ pass and slide the opener past Schmeichel.

But the Foxes keeper came out on top in their next duel, saving superbly when Rashford was clean through.

Only Fernandes has scored more goals for the club than Rashford’s six this season, but the United academy graduate has to be more clinical to deliver the biggest prizes to Old Trafford and enjoy the successes of Rooney and Ronaldo.

More to follow.