Football: Historic defeat exposes suspect United defence

Manchester United's defeat was painful viewing for manager Louis van Gaal, right, and assistant Ryan Giggs. Photo / AP

Problems for van Gaal as side lets slip 2-goal lead for first in EPL.

Leicester City's supporters were chanting "we want six" long before the final whistle of this remarkable afternoon.

This was another painful reminder for Louis van Gaal of Manchester United's defensive weaknesses after a shambolic performance that secured the Dutchman an unwanted place in the club's English Premier League history.

Never before in 853 games had United thrown away a two-goal lead to lose and one can only wonder how severe the inquest would have been had David Moyes still been in charge.

The so-called "Gaalacticos" appeared in control after extending their lead early in the second period but then contrived to concede four goals in the final 28 minutes, with Leicester recording their finest result since the move from Filbert Street.

United were exhilarating going forward, with the £59.7 million ($73.2 million) signing Angel di Maria delivering what will be one of the goals of the season with an exquisite chip, but Van Gaal should have paid more money and attention on his defence.

Rafael Da Silva and Marcos Rojo were frequently exposed while Tyler Blackett is too inexperienced to be learning his trade during a period of transition. Blackett was dismissed late on, increasing United's frustrations over the performance of referee Mark Clattenburg, who also awarded a contentious penalty.

While the focus will be on United's problems, and they are significant despite the astonishing £150 million trolley dash in the final days of the transfer window, Leicester proved their ambitions stretch well beyond simply avoiding relegation. At the heart of their performance was Jamie Vardy, the forward who almost three years ago to the day was playing in non-league for Fleetwood Town and sent off against Kidderminster.

Even though the first half had been compelling, it still gave no indication of the carnage that was to follow.

While Juan Mata's surprise absence from the starting XI dominated the build-up, Robin van Persie's place has also been coming under pressure after a number of peripheral performances. He scored in the 13th minute after a moment of brilliance from Radamel Falcao, making his first start.

Falcao escaped Ritchie de Laet before sending over an exquisite cross to the far post, which presented Van Persie with a simple header, though it appeared to take a deflection off Liam Moore. United's second was breathtaking. Di Maria exchanged passes with Rooney and then chipped a sublime shot over Kasper Schmeichel.

Game over? Not so. Leicester responded swiftly. Vardy evaded Rojo and his cross found Leonardo Ulloa and the £8 million record signing powered a header into the corner.

United could have restored their two-goal cushion with Di Maria and Daley Blind coming close, but Ander Herrera punished Leicester's failure to adequately clear, with the Spaniard backheeling a cross past Schmeichel.

Van Gaal must have been expecting a second successive victory but Leicester hit back again, with Rafael needlessly bundling over Vardy in the area. Wayne Rooney confronted Clattenburg and United's frustration increased when David Nugent put away the penalty. They were level when Cambiasso drilled into the corner before Vardy made the breakthrough, racing on to de Laet's pass before scoring. They collected a fifth after Vardy forced a ridiculous challenge from Blackett, who was given a straight red card. Ulloa made no mistake with the penalty.