On this day: Manchester United leave it late against Leicester City

By Liam Apicella, Features EditorPublished: 17 March 2014 9:48 AM

Thirteen years ago today, late goals from Dwight Yorke and Mikael Silvestre secure a 2-0 victory for Manchester United over Leicester City.

From the off, the 2000-01 Premier League campaign was all too easy for Manchester United.

Following a 6-0 victory over Bradford City in early September, Sir Alex Ferguson's side hit the summit and despite dropping down to second for a week as a result of a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal, the Red Devils had topped the standings all the way through.

It meant that by the time that Leicester City made the trip to Old Trafford 13 years ago today, the hosts, who had lost just three encounters all season, were 17 points clear. While Peter Taylor's visitors were enjoying a positive campaign in sixth spot, it was anticipated by many that they would be rolled over comfortably at the home of the champions.

United's experienced goalkeeper Fabien Barthez suffered an injury during the warm-up, which meant that 19-year-old Paul Rachubka was handed his Premier League debut. However, any nerves that the American had would have frittered away early on due to the fact that he was largely a spectator as the match wore on.

Despite their domination, though, United were finding it difficult to get the better of visiting keeper Simon Royce. The likes of Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and even Gary Neville tried their luck during the opening 45 minutes, but Leicester's clean sheet remained intact.

Mikael Silvestre celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Leicester City on March 17, 2001. © Getty Images

Ferguson introduced Dwight Yorke into the action during the break, but the home side's frustration continued to grow after the restart. Solskjaer saw a powerful volley held by Royce, then moments later the Norwegian's strike from inside the penalty area flew over the crossbar.

Then, just when it appeared that the Foxes had ridden their luck enough to secure a point, United broke the deadlock with just two minutes left to play and in fortunate circumstances. Again Solskjaer's shot was wayward, but on this occasion the ball cannoned off his teammate Yorke, leaving a helpless Royce little chance.

The outcome was then sealed in stoppage time as another United substitute, Mikael Silvestre, found the net with a composed finish.

After the final whistle, beaten manager Taylor said: "I'm not very happy with the result today, the 2-0, but I'm very happy with their performance."

MAN UNITED: Rachubka; G Neville, Irwin, Stam, P Neville (Silvestre); Greening (Yorke), Scholes, Keane, Butt (Chadwick); Sheringham, Solskjaer

LEICESTER: Royce; Rowett, Elliott, Gilchrist, Impey; Eadie, Lewis, Jones (Guppy), Delaney; Akinbiyi (Benjamin), Sturridge (Ellison)