Ten Hag calls for VAR consistency after Casemiro red in 2-1 win over Palace
Substitute Jadon Sancho secured Manchester United a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Leeds to deny their managerless rivals a famous first league win at Old Trafford in 42 years.
The relegation-threatened Whites sacked Jesse Marsch on Monday and caretaker replacement Michael Skubala was on course to mastermind an unforgettable victory two days later.
Wilfried Gnonto fired the visitors ahead after 55 seconds and Raphael Varane turned into his own goal early in the second half as Leeds dreamt of a first league win at Old Trafford since February 1981.
But Erik ten Hag’s United are made of stern stuff and rallied impressively, with Marcus Rashford’s header followed by substitute Sancho’s first goal since September in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
Illan Meslier superbly stopped Varane scoring a winner at the end of a rip-roaring tussle that adds excitement ahead of Sunday’s return fixture at a bouncing Elland Road.
Follow all the reaction from Old Trafford as Man Utd take on Leeds in the Premier League:
Jadon Sancho rescues draw as managerless Leeds end Manchester United’s home run
If it is a one-game reign, then what a game. Michael Skubala may return to the shadows, to the world of Under-21 management, but only after a heady taste of the limelight. Under the unknown, Leeds United ended Manchester United’s run of 13 successive home victories.
For an hour, they were on course for a first league victory at Old Trafford in Skubala’s lifetime. But, with and without Jesse Marsch, Leeds have a tendency to lose leads and Manchester United have the resolve to mount a response.
Leeds were marching on together without Marsch, contributing to a classic, playing with a verve and a dynamism that may have been a reaction to the manager’s sacking. But, by the end, they only have two wins in 18 league games.
Yet it was about a newcomer, a returning hero and the great constant in every Manchester United storyline at the moment. When Leeds could envision ending a wait that dates back to 1981, Marcus Rashford scored his inevitable goal.
He has 20 for a season that has almost four months left to run. Yet a comeback was completed by a player on his own journey back: Jadon Sancho’s first goal since September came on his longest outing since October. Half an hour as a substitute offered a reminder of his quality.
Michael Jones8 February 2023 22:25
FT Man Utd 2-2 Leeds
Manchester United average 2.3 points-per-game while conceding 0.7 goals-per-game when Casemiro has started in the Premier League this season, compared to 1.4 points-per-game and 2.1 goals conceded per game when he hasn’t started.
Michael Jones8 February 2023 22:22
FT Man Utd 2-2 Leeds
Marcus Rashford is the first Manchester United player to score in six consecutive appearances at Old Trafford in the Premier League since Wayne Rooney in April 2012.
(REUTERS)
Michael Jones8 February 2023 22:19
FT Man Utd 2-2 Leeds
Since losing their first two games of the season, Manchester United have won 43 points in 20 Premier League matches. Only leaders Arsenal (44) have picked up more points in this period.
Michael Jones8 February 2023 22:16
FT Man Utd 2-2 Leeds
Post-match reaction from Leeds goalscorer Wilfried Gnonto who said: “We did a really good game. We tried to stay together and fight together. We proved we have a top team. It’s a little bit mixed emotions because we wanted to win.
“We always want to start games well. We want to show the opponents we’re there and want to win. Of course it went well but we conceded two goals at the end. It’s a shame.
“I don’t really know. When we go into a game we try to do our best. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t think we did something differently.
“Today was a positive game. We showed we have character. From now on we try to show our character. We can beat anybody.”
Michael Jones8 February 2023 22:13
FT Man Utd 2-2 Leeds
Leeds United went two goals ahead against Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time since February 9th 1974 where they recorded a 2-0 win.
They couldn’t repeat that result tonight and United fought back to earn a point.
Michael Jones8 February 2023 22:10
FT Man Utd 2-2 Leeds
(PA)
(REUTERS)
(PA)
Michael Jones8 February 2023 22:07
FT Man Utd 2-2 Leeds
It was all action in the second half as Leeds extended their lead to 2-0 before Man Utd roared into life.
Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho both found the back of the net to draw the home side level but there wasn’t enough time left in the game for the Red Devils to force a winner.
Michael Jones8 February 2023 22:04
Full-time: Man Utd 2-2 Leeds
90+5 mins: Leeds hold on! Man Utd whip crosses in from both sides of the pitch but Meslier commands his box and clings onto the ball before smothering it.
Manchester United fought back from two goals down but the points are shared at Old Trafford.
Michael Jones8 February 2023 22:01
Man Utd 2-2 Leeds
90+2 mins: Shot! Rashford receives the ball off Sancho and carries it along the front edge of the box. He goes past two of three defenders but can’t open up space to shoot.
Leeds prod the ball away from him but it rolls to Fred whose curling long-range effort finishes in the safe hands of Illan Meslier.
Michael Jones8 February 2023 21:57
