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| Image:David de Gea denies James Maddison with a flying save |
Sancho scored his second of the season in the 23rd minute as United, up to fifth and above Liverpool and Chelsea, capitalised on Leicester's poor defensive positioning with the winger rounding goalkeeper Danny Ward from Marcus Rashford's through ball.
Leicester were booed off at full-time following a lacklustre performance as pressure grows on boss Brendan Rodgers with this their worst start since 1994.
But United's horror shows of last month against Brighton and Brentford are now long forgotten, although Ten Hag is not convinced they have completely solved their problems ahead of Sunday's clash against leaders Arsenal.
"Maybe it's too quick to say [we have turned a corner]," he said. "We're happy with it, we're building a team and a squad who are sticking together, fighting for each other, they co-operate and if you do that, you get the right results. We have to step it up further, and Sunday will be a really good game, a really good test, so we're looking forward."
The home side's troubles were summed up by the manner in which they conceded. Goalkeeper Danny Ward launched the ball into the United half which was won by Diogo Dalot. With Leicester's defensive positioning a mess, Bruno Fernandes quickly passed into Rashford, he was allowed to turn and slip in Sancho, whose first touch took him round Ward for an easy finish.
Player ratings:
Leicester: Ward (5), Justin (5), Evans (5), Ndidi (5), Thomas (5), Dewsbury-Hall (6), Tielemans (5), Soumare (5), Maddison (6), Vardy (5), Barnes (6).
Subs: Iheanacho (6), Daka (n/a).
Man Utd: De Gea (7), Dalot (7), Martinez (7), Varane (7), Malacia (7), McTominay (7), Eriksen (7), Sancho (7), Fernandes (7), Elanga (6), Rashford (7).
Subs: Ronaldo (6), Fred (n/a), Casemiro (6).
Man of the match: Christian Eriksen (Manchester United)
Leicester did not have a touch in the United box during the first half although they did come out after the break with more purpose, determined to end United's record of not losing for eight years when leading at half-time. James Maddison forced David de Gea into flying save from a 25-yard free-kick, but that was as close as they'd come.
Ten Hag introduced Casemiro just before the hour and then want-away forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who acrobatically shot wide late on as Transfer Deadline Day ticked away in the background.
James Justin shot over from inside the United box with a last-gasp Leicester chance, compounding another miserable night at the King Power.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag:
"I felt we were quite solid. It was a quite solid performance, we had to defend with 11 and we did that very well. There were some moments, but I think we should have been up 2-0 by then. We had some good counter-attacking opportunities and should have taken them.
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers:
"I'm happy the window is shut, it's been a huge distraction for us. To have to watch virtually every club in the top five leagues get players in and for us to not be able to improve that was difficult as a manager and players. Players want to compete; this group has shown they can compete but we needed help and unfortunately we haven't been able to get that.
Opta stats - Ronaldo's new bench warming role
…Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Manchester United as a second-half substitute at Leicester
Manchester United have won three Premier League games in a row for the first time since December - which was the also the last time they named the same starting XI in three consecutive games in the competition.
Leicester have lost their last two home league games, as many as they had in their previous 14 at the King Power Stadium (W8 D4).
Manchester United have received more yellow cards than any other Premier League side this season (17). Their average of 3.4 cards per game is the highest for a club in a single campaign in the competition's history.
Each of Cristiano Ronaldo's last three appearances for Manchester United have been as a substitute, the first time since December 2005 he's played three consecutive games from the bench in his club career.
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