Man Utd hero McGrath: Varane absence big factor for Leicester defeat | OneFootball

Manchester United FA Cup winner Paul McGrath says the absence of Raphael Varane was a big factor in yesterday's defeat at Leicester City.

McGrath wrote for the Sunday World: "Oh Lord, can one man make that much of a difference – when he has only played a handful of games for Manchester United.

"The absence of injured centre-half Raphael Varane yesterday left Manchester United's defence looking like a comedy of errors as they fell to a shocking defeat against Leicester City.

"Never mind the 4-2 scoreline, it was only the brilliance of David de Gea in goal for United that stopped the home team winning this 6-2 or even 7-2.

"One player shouldn't make that much of a difference, not when his absence means United can actually restore their first-choice back five of last season – they ought to have been well used to playing with each other.

"But Harry Maguire was miles off the pace. The suspicion was that United rushed him back to first-team action once they knew Varane was out for the next five weeks or so.

"If that is the case, it is a terrible reflection on where Eric Bailly stands in the defensive pecking order at Old Trafford.

"Surely Bailly would have been a better bet than Maguire ambling out on the pitch, clearly not right."