Leicester breathed fresh life into the championship race when they inflicted
Manchester United's first home defeat of the season.
Forgotten man Tony Cottee scored the all-important goal after 27 minutes on
only his second league start for the Foxes.
The second half resembled a remake of the Alamo as United created, and
squandered, chance after chance as they threw everything at Leicester.
Unlike the Mexican army, though, they could not breach their opponents'
defence.
But take nothing away from Leicester. They worked hard for their first league
win since the end of November and were superbly organised and disciplined.
United's lead at the top has been cut to four points and this result will
remind them that a fifth title in six years is far from secured.
The champions and league leaders had won their last 11 games at Old Trafford
and had dropped just two league points at home.
Some people thought United were unbeatable at the Theatre of Dreams - but then
the Titanic was supposed to be unsinkable!
Leicester, who were 8-1 shots to win, upset the odds to win their first league
match in eight attempts to do the unthinkable.
The victory was also their first at Old Trafford since September 1973, which
was the season United were relegated.
United were forced to make an early substitution when Henning Berg came on for
Ronny Johnsen, who appeared to have a calf injury.
Leicester were making life difficult for United from the first whistle and in
a moment of confusion Gary Pallister needlessly headed Steve Guppy's cross out
of Peter Schmeichel's hands for a corner.
It was a sign of things to come for United, who are used to having things
their own way at home.
United found themselves in the unusual position of being pegged back at Old
Trafford as the Foxes pushed and harried them.
Muzzy Izzet was presented with a chance midway through the first half but he
was off balance and fired over.
Leicester deservedly took the lead after 27 minutes when Berg misjudged former
United trainee Robbie Savage's cross and Cottee lashed it home past Schmeichel
from close range for his second of the season.
The Foxes made their first substitution on 34 minutes when Spencer Prior came
on for captain Walsh.
Andy Cole went close to equalising for United four minutes later when he
collected Ryan Giggs' pass and cut back inside Prior only to shot narrowly past
Kasey Keller's far post.
Now it was United's turn to pressure Leicester, but they were being thwarted
by an 11-man defence.
Emile Heskey had a chance to make it 2-0 right on half-time when he got half a
yard on Berg but shot over.
United pushed Denis Irwin and Gary Neville forward after the interval but
Leicester still looked dangerous and Izzet went past four challenges before
Pallister stopped him at the expense of a corner.
At the other end Cole shot straight at Keller and Butt fired over from outside
the area.
United went for broke when they replaced Berg with Sheringham nine minutes
into the second half.
Cole sneaked through the Foxes' defence four minutes later but Keller saved
his point-blank shot.
Leicester added fresh legs to their midfield when Stuart Campbell replaced
Garry Parker.
Sheringham was left holding his head in his hands midway through the half when
he blasted over from close range.
Still the chances came and went for United and Cole fired wide on 72 minutes.
Giggs then missed 10 minutes from time before Cole sent a header wide.
United played their final card seven minutes from time when Phil Neville came
on for Paul Scholes, while Stuart Wilson replaced Leicester's goal hero Cottee.
Perhaps United's best chance fell to Sheringham, who shot wide from just yards
out two minutes into stoppage time to sum up their miserable afternoon.
Teams:
Man Utd: Schmeichel, G. Neville, Irwin, Johnsen (Berg 8),
Pallister, Beckham, Butt, Cole, Giggs, Scholes (P. Neville 84),
Solskjaer, Berg (Sheringham 55).
Subs Not Used: McClair, Pilkington.
Booked: Scholes, Sheringham.
Leicester: Keller, Savage, Guppy, Kaamark, Elliott,
Walsh (Prior 35), Izzet, Lennon, Parker (Campbell 65),
Cottee (Wilson 88), Heskey.
Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Fenton.
Booked: Savage.
Goals: Cottee 30.
Att: 55,156
Ref: G R Ashby (Worcester).
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