Jadon Sancho’s first purpose since September denied managerless Leeds a well-known win at Old Trafford as Manchester United got here from 2-0 all the way down to salvage a 2-2 draw on Wednesday.
Sancho has been sidelined for a lot of the season by health points, however got here off the bench to rescue a degree and stretch United’s unbeaten run at dwelling to 16 video games.
Leeds sacked Jesse Marsch on Monday following a run of seven league video games and not using a win.
Caretaker supervisor Michael Skubala had only one 20-minute coaching session to organize for the journey throughout The Pennines, however they’d been on track for a primary victory over United since 2010.
Leeds shock Man Utd in 55 seconds | 00:45
Wilfried Gnonto gave the guests the right begin after only a minute and Raphael Varane’s personal purpose doubled their benefit early within the second half.
Marcus Rashford’s twentieth purpose of the season sparked the United fightback earlier than Sancho equalised.
Some extent leaves third-placed United nonetheless seven factors adrift of leaders Arsenal, having performed two video games extra.
The draw is extra worthwhile to Leeds, who edge one level away from the relegation zone.
Gnonto has been a constant brilliant spark of an in any other case unhappy season for Leeds and exploded the sport into life after simply 60 seconds as he discovered the underside nook for his fourth purpose in seven video games.
United badly missed the presence of the suspended Casemiro in midfield, which allowed Leeds to counter-attack at will.
Pascal Struijk may have doubled their lead inside 12 minutes as David De Gea was pressured right into a save from point-blank vary to disclaim the Dutch defender.
But the losses of Luis Sinisterra to harm and Struijk because of concussion halted Leeds’ momentum and so they ended up clinging onto their lead earlier than halftime.
Alejandro Garnacho fired simply large after which noticed a shot cleared off the road by Max Woeber after the Argentine had rounded Illan Meslier.
Jadon Sancho of Manchester United celebrates with teammate Lisandro Martinez after scoring the group’s second purpose throughout the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford on February 08, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
However, United have been gradual out of the blocks after the break and have been punished. Gnonto was on the coronary heart of the transfer once more as he launched Crysencio Summerville down the left and his cross was was his personal internet by Raphael Varane.
Erik ten Hag turned to his bench for options and located them in Sancho and Facundo Pellistri to switch the ineffectual Wout Weghorst and Garnacho.
Weghorst’s withdrawal put Rashford by the center and inside minutes he rose highest to fulfill Diogo Dalot’s cross for his twelfth purpose in 14 video games for the reason that World Cup.
Leeds have been inches away from restoring their two-goal lead nearly instantly when Brenden Aaronson’s free-kick got here again off the put up.
Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto of Leeds United have fun after Raphael Varane of Manchester United (not pictured) concedes an personal purpose.Source: Getty Images
But their benefit was quickly worn out fully 20 minutes from time. Sancho’s return to motion has been a well timed increase with United nonetheless concerned in 4 competitions and brief on attacking choices.
The England worldwide collected Luke Shaw’s deflected cross and his low strike caught out Meslier low to his left.
United then laid siege to the Leeds purpose searching for a winner. Meslier redeemed himself with a nice save to tip over a Varane header and Bruno Fernandes twice fired astray as United failed to finish the comeback.
