Manchester United’s top-four hopes took another hit as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Leicester at Old Trafford.
Ralf Rangnick’s side were somewhat fortunate to get even a point, in what was another below-par performance from United.
Kelechi Iheanacho put the Foxes in front after the break, before Fred got the home side level almost immediately. Maddison thought he had won it late on for Leicester, but VAR disallowed the goal for a foul in the build-up.
The draw leaves United three points behind Arsenal in fourth, having played two games more.
United were without Cristiano Ronaldo, after the Portuguese star was ruled out with illness, and in the first-half they played like a side missing their main man.
It was Leicester who looked the more confident with the ball, as well as winning it back high up the pitch and capitalising on some sloppiness from the home side. Harvey Barnes dragged a couple of shots wide from just outside the box.
The best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to Bruno Fernandes, who signed a contract extension at the club on Friday. He was clean through on goal, but Kasper Schmeichel stuck out a leg to deny the midfielder.
Iheanacho wasted a decent opening for Leicester, before Barnes got on the end of a brilliant cross from Maddison and volleyed just wide as a first-half lacking in much quality finished goalless.
United’s struggles could well have got even worse five minutes after the break. Scott McTominay flew into a challenge on James Maddison and caught the Leicester midfielder high, as the Foxes players surrounded the referee demanding a red card. McTominay was perhaps fortunate he only saw yellow.
Jadon Sancho was found in the box by Diogo Dalot, though the Englishman opted not to shoot when free and Anthony Elanga’s shot when the ball fell to him was blocked.
Rangnick had seen enough at that point, with 35 minutes still remaining, and Marcus Rashford was brought on as McTominay was withdrawn.
It was Leicester who took the lead though with a moment of real quality. The ball was played to Maddison on the left wing, who whipped a stunning cross into the box where Iheanacho stooped to head low past David De Gea.
United responded impressively and within four minutes were level once again. Fernandes worked the ball into space on the edge of the box and his shot was parried out by Kasper Schmeichel, straight into the path of Fred who fired the rebound into the roof of the net.
The Foxes twice came close to restoring their advantage shortly after. Iheanacho was played in behind and scooped an effort over the bar, before De Gea made a sensational save to tip Wesley Fofana’s header behind.
Leicester were much the better team after the equaliser and nearly got their reward. Iheanacho bundled his way through a couple of challenges and flicked it to Maddison who drilled a low shot past De Gea at his near post, but a VAR review saved United. Replays showed that Iheanacho had swept Varane’s leg away in the build-up.
Neither side was able to find a winner in the final minutes, with the result a far more frustrating one for United as their hopes of Champions League football next season continue to slip away.
