MAN UNITED 2, LEEDS UNITED 2
Manchester United’s fabulous run of 13 straight home wins came to an end as they were held to a 2-2 draw by relegation-threatened Leeds United.
At the end, though, it was viewed as a point gained by the depleted Reds who fought back from a two-goal deficit to remain third in the Premier League.
When Leeds scored at the start of each half through Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville, it looked as though they would win at Old Trafford for the first time in the top-flight since 1981.
They had also not beaten United in 17 league meetings and that was in September 2002.
The Reds under Erik ten Hag are never beaten as they staged a stirring second-half fightback with goals from Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho to take a share of the spoils.
Indeed, they had chances to extend their remarkable unbeaten home run but could not find a way past keeper Ilian Meslier who was in resolute form in the latter stages.
Embed from Getty ImagesTen Hag said: “Mixed feelings. Of course in the end we were happy to win a point, but we dropped two points. It’s a very bad start, unacceptable, especially in a derby you have to be ready to battle and take responsibility. We didn’t do that.”
Did the quick start surprise the players? “It looked like it but not me. [We knew] they will go aggressive, front foot, against a team on a good run they’ll try to get into duels and that’s what they did.
“We created great chances. Garnacho twice. Sabitzer. The header of Raphael. At half-time we had to equalise. If you start the second half the same as the first half you make it really difficult.
“I have to complement the team and resilience to fight back. We made two great team goals.
On bringing Jadon Sancho on, ten Hag explained: “I wanted a different dynamic. In that moment we weren’t in the game. Luckily it succeeded because we scored two goals, and I am very happy.
“He’s all the way back. We know he’s a magnificent player. I think consistently he can have a big impact. But he has to work hard. It will motivate him to get more. I really enjoyed it, especially for him. It will strengthen him.
“If you play a derby, you need a different attitude. You have to start and be ready and take responsibility, win your battles and be composed on the ball.”
Leeds caretaker boss Michael Skubala said: “It’s a tough place to come. They have quality and haven’t lost in 13 games in all competitions.
“I’m disappointed we didn’t win but at the end of the day they were going to throw quality at us in the last moments. We needed to see the game out and I thought we did that well.”
“I’m really proud of the performance of the players. They worked hard and I thought we did enough to win the game.
“We put a lot of emphasis to be aggressive and not be passive. We did that really well.
“They [Man Utd] have quality with the ball. We did really well without the ball. We have to respect their quality.
“I think it instills belief in the players that they are good enough at this level. They know that and we know that, and we just need to go after every game between now and the end of the season.”
Marcel Sabitzer was handed his first start for United as they made three changes from the side which beat Crystal Palace.
Sabitzer replaced the suspended Casemiro, Alejandro Garnacho was in for the injured Antony and Diogo Dalot took the place of the unwell Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Anthony Martial was again ruled out through injury.
Skubala made two changes from Jesse Marsch’s last line-up.
Robin Koch, back from suspension, replaced Liam Cooper and Weston McKennie was in for Marc Roca, his first start for Leeds.
Leeds made a dream start taking then lead after only 55 seconds.
Wilfried Gnonto cut in from the left and played a return pass with Patrick Bamford before firing low past David De Gea from 18 yards. There was a VAR check for a possible offside, but the goal stood for the 19-year-old Italian international, his fourth of the season.
That was Leeds’ fastest Premier League goal since January 2002 when Alan Smith netted after 26 seconds in a 2-1 loss at Newcastle United.
Leeds’ pace was causing all sorts of problems for United’s defence was Pascal Struijk’s header was palmed out by De Gea.
United’s first clear-cut chance in the 18th minute came on a counter attack when Bruno Fernandes cross for Alejandro Garnacho who fired agonisingly wide when he ought to have hit the target.
Sabitzer also went close with a drive from 25 yards having earlier blazed over.
Garnacho also had another great chance when he burst clear, rounded Meslier only to see Maximilian Wober head his shot off the line.
Meslier pulled off a super stop to turn over Sabitzer’s effort as United turned up the heat in pursuit of an equaliser.
United were caught cold again at the start of the second period when Leeds doubled their advantage.
Gnonto released Summerville on the left and from the tightest of angles his shot found a way past De Gea with the aid of a deflection. Though Summerville sought a fifth goal of the season it was eventually given as an own goal.
Ten Hag made a double change just short of the hour as Wout Weghorst and Garnacho made way for Jadon Sancho and Facundo Pellistri.
Rashford was switched to centre forward and three minutes later halved the deficit.
Pellistri did well to pick out Dalot whose cross was headed home by Rashford for his 20th goal of the season including each of the last six home league games.
Leeds almost regained a two-goal advantage when substitute Brenden Aaronson struck the upright with a free kick which left De Gea rooted to the spot. It was the American’s first touch.
United were level with 20 minutes as Sancho found the net on his first league appearance since October. He began the move on the left and played a return with Luke Shaw with the aid of a deflection before firing low to the left of Meslier into the far bottom corner for his fourth of the season.
And the Reds almost completed a remarkable turnabout minutes later when Meslier pulled off an acrobatic save to turn over Raphael Varane’s header.
United made two further changes with eight minutes left as Sabitzer and Dalot were replaced by Victor Lindelof and Tyrell Malacia.
In the five minutes of added time, Fred had a shot saved by Meslier but they were unable to find a winner despite their best efforts.