Both Erik ten Hag and Graeme Souness explained how Manchester United have Marcus Rashford and David de Gea to thank for their efforts during the 3-0 win over Leicester.
The Red Devils got off to a shaky start against the Foxes at Old Trafford, but a dominant second-half performance highlighted the gulf in quality between the two teams as Rashford's two goals were capped off by a third from Jadon Sancho to secure all three points.
It was a much-needed win for Ten Hag's side, who now sit just three points behind second-placed Manchester City after 24 games played. Things could have gone very differently if Leicester had made the early pressure they were enjoying count, but they couldn't get past an inspired De Gea between the sticks for the hosts.
After the game, Ten Hag admitted United struggled early on, labelling their first-half performance "rubbish" before he singled out the three players he deemed worthy of mention for their efforts in turning the tide.
"Today was really tough but it was first that Leicester played brilliantly but second that we were rubbish," the Dutchman conceded. "Our way of play we were really inconsistent and ill-disciplined in our principles and rules of the game.
"Then you get problems and it was only because of David De Gea that we get a clean sheet until half-time. We were lucky that we scored a goal. Great ball from Bruno [Fernandes], great run from Rashy [Rashford]."
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His sentiments were echoed by pundit Souness, who was covering the game for Sky Sports, though he left Fernandes out of his praise.
"The difference between the two sides was Marcus Rashford," the Liverpool legend claimed.
"Manchester United need to thank David de Gea as well though for making two great saves. If they go in it’s a different and a potentially difficult game for United. But United showed today that they are a very difficult team to play against right now."
Even Rashford himself was on the same wavelength, as he took the opportunity presented during his post-match media duties to heap praise on De Gea's influence on the game.
"Overall a good day. They created good opportunities and David made a great save at the end of the first half, without that we can’t go on to win the game."
At this stage of the campaign and in the kind of form they are enjoying at the moment, you'd have to be particularly brave to rule United out of this title race.
