Unburdened by Rooney, Pogba shines as United crushes Leicester City

Manchester - Manchester United dismantled Premier League champion Leicester in a ruthless 20-minute burst as Jose Mourinho's decision to drop Wayne Rooney was rewarded with a 4-1 win at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Leicester imploded defensively as United racked up four goals between the 22nd and 42nd minutes.

It was a stylish display from a United side who had entered the game under pressure after losing its last two league games, against Manchester City and Watford, with Chris Smalling opening the scoring after replacing Rooney as captain.

Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba, with his first United goal following his world record £89-million arrival from Juventus, were also on target after England captain Rooney was dropped to the substitutes' bench.

But it was a chastening afternoon for Leicester despite an improved second-half display and a brilliant consolation goal from half-time substitute Demarai Gray.

It was the second successive Premier League away game in which Leicester had shipped four goals after doing so at Liverpool two weeks ago.