Leicester City 1-4 Manchester United - Report
Hat-Trick Hero
By Chris O'Brien
September 29 2003
Ruud Van Nistelrooy responded to the antics of last Sunday in style with a magnificent hat-trick, as United crushed Leicester City 4-1 at Walkers Stadium. Roy Keane was also on the scoresheet, with his first goal in 41 appearances.
| Leicester City 1-4 Manchester United - Match Report |
| Ruud Van Nistelrooy put the antics of
last Sunday behind him with a superb hat-trick to silence the critics at the
Walkers Stadium. Roy Keane joined the Dutch striker on the scoresheet with his first goal in 41 appearances, as United ran riot with a 4-1 victory. Sir Alex Ferguson made 3 changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Arsenal in that infamous game last Sunday, with Paul Scholes, who made a welcome return to first team affairs, and young Darren Fletcher being included amongst the starting line-up. Sir Alex Ferguson showed he planned to 'protect' teenage sensation Cristiano Ronaldo by only giving him a place on the bench, and Mikael Silvestre was missing from the side through injury. Ronaldo may not have played a part in the game, but that didn't stop the fans having a youngster to hail, as Darren Fletcher put in an excellent performance on the right side of midfield on his first Premiership start for the Champions. United had a nervy opening 15-minutes, with Marcus Bent going close for Mickey Adams' hard-working side, but the Red Devils calmed their nerves with the opening goal. Roy Keane latched on to a superb chipped pass from Paul Scholes, and easily finished. Only a minute later, United were two goals to the good courtesy of Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Paul Scholes was again the provider, the England international send a beautiful ball through to United's record breaking striker, who drilled the ball home in style from close range. Ruud's team-mates celebrated in style, taking the 'mickey' out of Martin Keown's actions from last weekend, and a great team spirit was visible from all the United players. The Foxes continued to battle hard, but were now possessing little threat on the United goal, and there was no an air of confidence, if not arrogance about the play of the visitors. It was excellent football from United, the passing was quick, the movement was superb, and we are looking a side definitely capable of re-gaining the Premiership title. The three points were in the bag when Ruud Van Nistelrooy fired home his second only seconds before the half-time whistle. The man of the match delightfully controlled Rio Ferdinand's pass, before guiding it past Ian Walker. The strike secured another match ball to his collection with 51 minutes on the clock, with another neat finish. Van Nistelrooy held off a desperate challenge from England international Frank Sinclair, before going calmly putting the ball past Ian Walker. Leicester City got a late consolation goal for their efforts, but any hope of a comeback was long gone. Frank Sinclair rose above the United defence to head home from a Foxes set-piece, which gave the home support in the impressive Walkers Stadium something to cheer about, in what was the first game at the new ground between the two sides. Full Time - Leicester City 1-4 Manchester United Man of the Match - Ruud Van
Nistelrooy Leicester Line-Up: Walker (Coyne 64), Curtis,
Sinclair, Taggart (Stewart 57), Thatcher (Rogers 40), Nalis, Izzet, Scimeca,
Scowcroft, Bent, Dickov. Manchester United Line-up: Howard, Gary
Neville, Ferdinand, O'Shea, Phil Neville, Fletcher, Keane (Djemba-Djemba
45), Scholes (Forlan 56), Fortune, van Nistelrooy, Giggs (Butt 61). |
