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Manchester United cruise past Leicester City

Manchester United ease past Leicester City thanks to strikes from Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao and an own goal from Wes Morgan.

Manchester United have cruised past Leicester City 3-1 this afternoon thanks to strikes from Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and an own goal from Wes Morgan.

United showed an attacking fluidity that had been missing in recent games, with the scorers combining well with Adnan Januzaj and Angel di Maria.

The result is a miserable one for Leicester, as they remain bottom of the Premier League table.

Robin van Persie of Manchester United is congratulated by teammates Wayne Rooney and Adnan Januzaj after scoring his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on January 31, 201© Getty Images

United made a bright start to the match and looked to get the ball into the feet of either Van Persie or Falcao whenever possible.

Leicester, on the other hand, barely ventured into United's half. Leonardo Ulloa, playing as a lone frontman, looked increasingly isolated up top.

For all of United's possession, they found it difficult to create chances early on and Mark Schwarzer was rarely tested inside the opening 15 minutes of the match.

Van Persie found space inside the penalty area and played in Falcao rather than shooting himself, but the Colombian could not sort his feet out and Leicester cleared.

Radamel Falcao of Manchester United celebrates with teammate Wayne Rooney (L) of Manchester United after scoring his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on January 31, 20© Getty Images

The first real chance of the game fell to Di Maria, who controlled the ball on his chest before volleying over the goal from 25 yards.

The opportunity sparked an end-to-end few minutes, with Jeffrey Schlupp spurning a good chance to put Leicester in front before Van Persie mishit a volley.

Van Persie didn't dwell on the missed chance, however, and fired home moments later to put United in front.

The goal gave United confidence and Falcao doubled United's advantage before Morgan's own goal made it three for the Red Devils just before the break.

Wes Morgan #5 of Leicester City scores an own goal to give Manchester United a 3-0 first half lead during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on January 31, 2015© Getty Images

Leicester might have lost confidence given the scoreline but they started brightly in the second half as Danny Drinkwater found himself inside the United area.

Ulloa was waiting for a tap-in, but the midfielder badly overhit his cross and the danger was cleared.

The same player was then presented with an opening following a clearance, but Marcos Rojo did well to neutralise the danger and clear.

Marcin Wasilewski grabbed a late consolation for the Foxes, but it was too little too late as United closed out the win.

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Robin van Persie of Manchester United is congratulated by teammates Wayne Rooney and Adnan Januzaj after scoring his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on January 31, 201
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