Foxes stroll fuels Reds' growing optimism

ANDRE Onana had a fitness test for an eye issue. The Manchester United goal- keeper could have played with one eye closed against Leicester City.

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

And so Sunday's football feast ended with the headline billing: 19th versus 15th. After Sheffield, Old Firm and London derbies, and a cup final where the winners ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought, the football-following nation was served up another televised fixture.

This may be the only newspaper to clear the back page for United's win at Leicester. United have risen to 13th in the Premier League table after Tottenham's predictable defeat to Fulham at lunchtime. There was no rendition of "United, United, 13th in the league" from their phenomenal following at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester were such obliging opponents that both of United's forwards ended long goal droughts.

Alejandro Garnacho's previous Premier League goal was against Leicester on what was Ruud van Nistelrooy's penultimate day as a United employee.

Ruben Amorim had prepared to make a triple substitution at 1-0. The trio emerged at 2-0. Garnacho's contest killer was the cue for several Leicester fans to vacate their seats. They missed a glorious goal from Bruno Fernandes.

The officials rubbed it in for those who stayed with eight added minutes. There were sarcastic cheers when Harry Winks' pot-shot was fielded by Onana.

Van Nistelrooy glanced at the heavens as early as the 41st minute. He has jumped the gun, accepting impressionable Leicester's offer so soon after his commendable caretaker stint at United that involved two wins against his current employers.

Van Nistelrooy has been involved in all four of United's wins against Leicester this season.