Facing the outcome of the intense campaign in the Premier League, Manchester United and Leicester made missteps in their bid to qualify for the Champions League.
United have completely lost their offensive productivity, resigned to a goalless draw on Wednesday at Crystal Palace amid heavy fog at Selhurst Park.
Those led by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made three consecutive matches without scoring in the various competitions.
And they gave worrying signs. Bruno Fernandes showed problems controlling the ball, Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford got into an angry argument during the second half, and the Red Devils were completely oblivious to their tradition of fighting hard at the end of games when the result is adverse. .
Perhaps it is not so strange that United, 14 points behind a Manchester City that looks closer and closer to the coronation, have run out of fuel.
Due to its participation in the Europa League and its advancement in the national cup tournaments, Man U has played twice a week, non-stop, in this campaign with a tight schedule due to the pandemic.
“It’s been a long season,” Solskjaer said.
Leicester also failed to achieve the desired advance in their aspirations to qualify for the next Champions League, drawing 1-1 against Burnley.
Decimated by injuries, Brendan Rodgers’ team conceded a goal in the fourth minute from Czech striker Matěj Vydra. Leicester rescued a point from the visit to the Turf Moor thanks to the volley definition of Nigerian attacker Kelechi Iheanacho.
United and Leicester remain in the second and third places respectively, but have won just five of their last 16 league games combined.
Therefore, they are giving their rivals at the top of the table a chance to pass them. West Ham, Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton are eight points behind United and have games pending.
Three days after losing to Arsenal, Leicester gave up more units. This opens the door for Liverpool’s opponents to be among the top four in the English league.
Leicester marches in third place, five points ahead of West Ham and six over fifth Chelsea, and with a more disputed match.
Leicester’s casualty list continues to add names, with winger Harvey Barnes most recently off duty, alongside James Maddison, James Justin and Jonny Evans.
Also on Wednesday, bottom line Sheffield United dodged center-back Phil Jagielka’s expulsion and beat a faded Aston Villa 1-0 in what was a mere consolation win as they headed for relegation.
David McGoldrick scored the Sheffield United goal in the 30th minute, but the home side had to hold out with 10 men from 57 due to Jagielka’s expulsion after knocking down Anwar El Ghazi when he was the last man in front of goal.
