Vardy, who was playing in non-league football just five years ago, is now the runaway top-scorer in the Premier League. PHOTO: AFP
Vardy equalled the record held since 2003 by former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy when he took his scoring streak into double figures with a goal in Leicester’s 3-0 win at Newcastle last Saturday.
Fittingly, England international Vardy, 28, who joined Leicester from Fleetwood Town in 2012, will set the new mark if he scores against United when his league leaders host second-placed United at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester hot-shot Vardy a "great" striker: van Gaal
His form has seen him linked with January transfers to a host of big teams including United, but Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri says his club plan to challenge regularly for silverware in the coming years and can match Vardy’s ambitions.
“If you go to a big team and stay on the bench, do you feel good or not?” said Ranieri. “Now they are the kings here. In another side would they be the king or something else? That is important. I want ambitious men but it is also important they understand where Leicester are going.”
While Vardy can’t stop scoring, with 13 goals in the league so far this season, United are struggling to find the net.
From factory floor to record books for Leicester's Vardy
Their 19 goals in 13 league games is the lowest in the top seven and their struggles in front of goal are threatening to undermine their hopes of winning a first trophy since 2013.
United’s failure to score against Championship side Middlesbrough saw Louis van Gaal’s side go out of the League Cup on penalties last month and another blank on Wednesday against PSV Eindhoven could prove costly to their Champions League prospects.
Victory over the Dutch champions would have taken United into the last-16, but following a 0-0 draw, their fourth such result in seven matches, they must now win their final Group B game away to Wolfsburg to guarantee going through.
“Of course I am worried,” admitted van Gaal about United’s lack of potency in front of goal.
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United captain Wayne Rooney, the club’s leading scorer with six goals, of which only two have come in the Premier League, is equally concerned and he added: “I think we need to score more goals as a team.”
Van Gaal’s perceived style of play, lacking tempo and a creative edge, has come in for criticism from supporters and pundits.
But a victory at Leicester, who have lost just once at home this season, would ease some of the tension by taking United above Claudio Ranieri’s side to the top of the league.
EPL
Saturday’s fixtures
Bournemouth v Everton
Aston Villa v Watford
Palace v Newcastle
Man City v Soton
Sunderland v Stoke
Man United v Leicester
Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2015.
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