Leicester City have been the shock package of the Premier League this campaign under the tutelage of the “Tinker Man” Claudio Ranieri. The Foxes have lost only once and sit atop the league with 28 points. A large part of the club’s excellent start can be attributed to the impressive form of attacking midfielder, Riyad Mahrez, and the record-equalling talents of striker Jamie Vardy. The English striker has scored 13 goals in his last ten games and will be looking to break the goalscoring record he now jointly holds with former Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy against the Reds on Saturday. Manchester United will need to find a way to keep Vardy from scoring if they want to leave the King Power stadium with the three points. But how can Louis van Gaal’s men prevent a Jamie Vardy scoring record?
Countering his blistering pace
Leicester are set up to be a counter-attacking side and will be looking to sit back before hitting United on the break at speed. While Chris Smalling is no Per Mertesacker when it comes to a foot race, Manchester United’s defence will struggle to keep up with the blistering pace of Vardy, who excels at bursting past defenders to latch onto through balls and slotting past exposed ‘keepers. Vardy has been clocked as the fastest player in the Premier League this season after reaching a speed of 35.44km/h for the club, per Sky Sports. Vardy reached this speed, which is equal to just over 22 miles per hour, in the Foxes 2-1 win at West Ham in August.
Therefore United could be susceptible to him getting in behind and causing havoc on the United goal. This is where the England international is most dangerous and is how he has scored a large number of his goals this season, most notably his opening goal against Arsenal at the King Power stadium. To counter this, Louis van Gaal should instruct his defence to play a much deeper line, reducing the gap in between the defence and David de Gea, limiting the amount of space that Vardy can exploit while running the channels. The United full backs would also be wise to drop a little deeper than the centre backs when they are without possession to act as cover if Vardy does get in behind as they would then be in a better position to provide said cover. David de Gea could also be instructed to take a leaf out of Manuel Neuer’s book and act as a sweeper keeper providing a last line of defence in case Vardy escapes the attentions of the United back four.
Stopping his service from Mahrez
If United want to stop a Jamie Vardy scoring record, a good way to go about it would be to stop the service into him. Mahrez has created 29 chances in the league so far and has assisted Vardy for four out of his 13 goals. Even these stats do not give a full indication of how important the Algerian international is to this Leicester City side. Whether it is by beating a couple of players out wide before dragging it back to the awaiting Vardy or playing in the hole on the half turn trying to find the run in behind, most of Leicester’s attacks go through Mahrez so stopping him is a must.
To do this United will need to man-mark him out of the game. The role of Schneiderlin will be key in doing this. He will be needed to play tightly to Mahrez when he drifts inside to fill the number ten role, to limit the space and make it difficult for the Algerian to produce some of his magic. Additionally Schneiderlin will be needed to help double up on him when he is out in the wide areas taking on the United full backs. One-on-one there aren’t many players better in the Premier League who are better at beating players than Mahrez. You only have to look at the way he eliminated three of West Ham’s defenders last game with a single turn. This player is something special and must be dealt with in a special way. By marking Mahrez out the game, United will already be limiting the amount of chances that will be afforded to Vardy, and as Manchester United fans know all too well it is very difficult to score without making clear cut chances.
By not conceding silly penalties
Jamie Vardy has already successfully converted three penalties this season in the Premier League and will be hoping for the chance of another this weekend. While United have only given away two spot kicks this season, the club does have a tendency for giving away silly fouls with Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo being especially clumsy around the area. Vardy has been ice cool from 12 yards this season and will fancy his chances of breaking Ruud’s record if he is given the opportunity from the spot. United must be extra careful when trying to dispossess a Leicester player in their 18-yard box as it is quite possible that they will have it in their minds to go over more easily if given the chance.
This game can go either way this weekend, and may well be settled by Vardy’s ability to find the net. United must be resolute in defence, choking out attackers and pressing high up the pitch, forcing passes out wide or backwards, away from Leicester’s danger men. If the United back four can stifle the duo of Mahrez and Vardy, then Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record should only stay equalled and United will be confident of picking up the victory.
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