Vardy shines as Leicester go top

If his performance against United a year ago is anything to go by, he will have little trouble rewriting the history books. “And that’s what you believe they should do with the squad they have”. For us, it’s another match to see how we have to improve.

Ulloa admits it is great to play with a striker who is in such red-hot form. We are very happy.

Fans and ex-players alike are calling for the Dutchman’s head, saying he has killed the club’s tradition of attacking, free-flowing football established under Sir Alex Ferguson.

There was even a sports psychologist who came to see the players at Coventry and he said I had the most positive outlook of anyone he had seen over the previous five years! “It’s not so easy to do that”.

Vardy was the first player to score against Steve McClaren’s Magpies in three fixtures after they had recorded back-to-back clean sheets and appeared to be turning the corner under the ex-England manager prior to the global break. Perhaps only by the turn of the year will it be clear if Leicester – in first place for the first time since 2000 – is the real deal and a genuine top-four contender.

What’s more remarkable is that Vardy is doing this with Leicester City. The Foxes were brought back down to earth, however, when they faced a strong, second-placed United side at Filbert Street, as goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lifted the Reds to the top of the table.

“I still think they will win the league, but they are under-performing and they are under-selling themselves”.

“It is hard for me because I have waited a long time for this chance”.

Jamie Carragher said Liverpool’s 4-1 win at the Etihad on Saturday was “as good as anything” he can remember in the Premier League.

Despite being second in the table after 13 matches, some United fans are unhappy with the style of football being played under Van Gaal. United’s success in the game could depend on how they handle the duo.

“We are still not lucky in finishing the chances”.

Wayne Rooney returned from illness on Wednesday and had a mixed game, giving the ball away on occasion, but did his best to drive United forward in the latter parts of the match.

Van Gaal confirmed to MUTV prior to Friday’s media conference that both Phil Jones and Ander Herrera will miss Saturday’s game due to injury.

James Wilson will also not feature as he has been loaned to Championship leaders Brighton.

“On the day as well, I must say, everything went against us”. So what are Van Gaal’s critics moaning about?

While I am chuffed for Vardy, I also think he is everything that Newcastle are not at the moment. Perhaps the weight of too many tournament failures will not weigh on Vardy’s shoulders like it has done, and continues to do so for so many English players. It is very important for him and for us as well. [On United’s Anthony Martial, who played for him at Monaco] He is 19 years old.