‘You’ve got to score when you’re on top’ – Maddison rues Leicester’s missed chances in Man United defeat

Leicester City midfielder James Maddison rued his side’s missed chances in the humbling 3-0 defeat to Manchester United today.

The scoreline did not reflect Leicester’s impressive first-half display, where they had the better chances to score but failed to convert.

Marcus Rashford gave United the lead while goalkeeper David De Gea was on hand to deny the Foxes with a couple of big saves, ensuring his side went into the half-time break with a clean sheet.

Brendan Rodgers’ side finished the opening period on the front foot but failed to replicate their first-half performance in the second period.

Rashford grabbed his second of the game before Jadon Sancho, reaping the benefits of a rehabilitative period, sealed the win for the Red Devils.

Speaking to reporters after the game (via Football Daily), Maddison reflected on a tough defeat for his side.

“It could have been different,” the Foxes’ captain said. “When you come to places like this, you’ve got to score when you’re on top otherwise you get punished at this level. 

“We dominated the first half – we had so many chances, so many sights at goal, so many entries into the final third where we just couldn’t put it away. 

“David De Gea makes a couple of good saves – a couple of missed opportunities, but we got punished. We got punished for not taking advantage of our positive start.”

The 26-year-old backed his side to take the positives from the game into their next league fixture against Arsenal.

“The positives are there,” Maddison added. “3-0 is obviously disappointing, but there were so many positives there, especially in the first half. 

“Second half wasn’t started quickly. There were positives to take from the first half, and we will take them into another big game next week.”

Defeat to United ends Leicester’s four-game unbeaten run after their inspired 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

Rodgers’ side are just three points above 18th-place West Ham United and will do well to get a positive result when they take on Arsenal next weekend.