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Five-star Leicester sink ragged Manchester United after superb comeback

Manchester United's defensive frailties were laid bare in embarrassing fashion as Leicester romped to a 5-3 win over Louis van Gaal's shellshocked side at the King Power Stadium.

- Brewin: Man United fall apart at Leicester
- United threw it all away, says Van Gaal

United's stellar cast of attacking talent allowed them to race into a 3-1 lead thanks to Robin van Persie, Ander Herrera and Angel di Maria, who scored a stunning chip over Kasper Schmeichel.

But however impressive United's Galacticos are on the attack, this squad is woefully sub-standard at the back and Leicester took full advantage to record their first home victory over the 20-time champions since 1985.

Leonardo Ulloa headed in at the back post in the first half and David Nugent found the net from the penalty spot after a needless foul by Rafael on Jamie Vardy.

Esteban Cambiasso equalised on his full debut before Vardy slotted the ball past David De Gea after a counter-attack in which United's defending was all over the place.

Tyler Blackett was then sent off for hacking Vardy down in the box and Ulloa converted the penalty to make it 5-3.

The defeat brought Van Gaal back down to earth following his first victory against QPR last week, and much work has to be done if he is to achieve his target of a top-three finish.

QPR dropped deep and allowed United to come at them last week, but Van Gaal's men were not afforded the same luxury as Leicester pressed from the first whistle.

Jonny Evans denied Ulloa twice early on, first with a clever header and then with a fine block, which clearly hurt the centre-back.

It did not take long for Di Maria to start causing trouble at the other end, though.

The former Real Madrid man drove at the Leicester defence and slotted Van Persie in behind, but Schmeichel ran out to block the Dutchman's shot.

United were now in full flow. They looked particularly venomous down the left, where Marcos Rojo and Di Maria were proving far too quick for Ritchie De Laet.

The former United right-back dived in and allowed full debutant Radamel Falcao, who started ahead of Juan Mata, to turn the ball past him in the 12th minute. The Colombian chipped a pinpoint cross to Van Persie, whose header flew past Schmeichel off Liam Moore.

Just three minutes later, Di Maria doubled the lead with an early contender for goal of the season. The Argentine sprinted from inside his own half and picked up a return ball from Wayne Rooney before he scooped the ball over Schmeichel with his left boot.

Van Gaal rose to his feet to commend the 59.7million pound signing. But just 72 seconds later the United boss was cursing his defence as they allowed Leicester back into the game when Vardy got to the byline and whipped in a ball to the back post where Ulloa powered a header past De Gea.

United suffered a couple of injury problems before the break. Evans, still struggling after blocking Ulloa's early shot, hobbled off and was replaced by Chris Smalling. Di Maria also needed his wrist strapped after he was brushed off the ball by De Laet.

United should have had their third when Rojo headed over from four yards, and within three minutes of the restart Falcao rattled the bar with a fine volley.

Herrera went one better in the 57th minute as he turned the ball in to make it 3-1. The Spaniard cleverly flicked Rooney's goalbound shot past Schmeichel from six yards after Rafael caused havoc with a wicked low cross.

But the Brazilian quickly went from hero to villain as he gave away a contentious penalty at the other end.

Vardy barged Rafael off the ball down Leicester's left and the defender lost his cool, nudging the forward over in the box.

Mark Clattenburg ignored United's protestations and pointed to the spot, and Nugent blasted the ball down the middle past De Gea to score.

Within two minutes, United's defence went to pieces again and Leicester equalised. Dean Hammond, given plenty of space on the edge of the box, saw his shot blocked in the centre of the area where Cambiasso pounced, stabbing the ball home.

Van Gaal slumped further into his seat with 12 minutes left when Leicester took the lead. De Laet nicked the ball off Mata, who had just come on for Di Maria, and cantered down the left back before finding the unmarked Vardy, who calmly beat De Gea.

Yet more shocking defending was to come from the visitors. Vardy easily nudged Blackett aside and raced towards the box, only to be brought down by the young centre-half with an awful tackle from behind.

Mark Clattenburg had no option but to send Blackett off, and Ulloa beat De Gea from 12 yards to seal Leicester's victory.