Match Report: Leeds United 2-4 Manchester United
It looked like it was going to be a tale of two halves for Manchester United, but the men in red showed both quality and resilience to overcome a spirited Leeds United side, beating their bitter rivals by four goals to two on Sunday afternoon.
How did United set up?
Ralf Rangnick made three changes to the side that beat Brighton in midweek. One of those changes came in the form of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who made his first Premier League start since January 3rd, with Diogo Dalot dropping to the bench.
Raphael Varane pulled out of the warmup in Tuesday night’s match. The Frenchman found himself resided to the bench today, with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelöf making back-to-back starts together.
Edison Cavani was an absentee from the matchday squad entirely, with some fans questioning his desire to play after being spotted enjoying himself at the Khan vs Brook boxing match the night before the Leeds clash.
Jesse Lingard made his first Premier League start of the season, with the Englishman selected ahead of both Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga.
Here was the starting lineup and substitutes:
Embed from Getty ImagesStarting XI: David De Gea (GK), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB), Raphael Varane (CB), Harry Maguire (CB), Luke Shaw (LB), Scott McTominay (CDM), Paul Pogba (CM), Bruno Fernandes (CAM) Jesse Lingard (RW), Jadon Sancho (LW), Cristiano Ronaldo (ST).
Subs: Dean Henderson, Raphael Varane, Diogo Dalot, Alex Telles, Nemanja Matic, Fred, Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Elanga.
How it went down
First half
Both sets of fans made themselves heard at Elland Road, with the lashing rain and wind adding an extra incentive for the physical contest that played out in the opening stages of the match. The referee dismissed claims for a foul on Wan-Bissaka in the 5th minute, with the subsequent bit of play seeing Jack Harrison scuff a good chance wide.
McTominay clashed heads with Robin Koch not long afterwards. Following four and a half minutes of medical help, the German was back on his feet and play resumed in the combative manner in which it started.
Pogba showed his world-class abilities in the 26th minute when he set Ronaldo up inside the six-yard box; the Frenchman skipped past his man with ease near the left corner, but Ronaldo couldn’t convert from close range, with the ball perhaps being caught up in the waterlogged pitch.
Embed from Getty ImagesFollowing the substitution of Koch- struggling after his earlier blow to the head- Fernandes let rip from the edge of the area, having been set up from a terrific flick by Pogba. United scored from the corner that followed, with Maguire heading home in the 34th minute of play. It only took 140 attempts for the away team to score their first corner of the season.
It was in stoppage time of the first half when the Red Devils doubled their advantage, with Fernandes rounding off an excellent team move; Lindelöf drove forward from the defence and poked the ball into the path of Sancho, who lofted in a delightful cross that was met by the head of United’s Portuguese Magnifico, who bagged his 8th league goal of the campaign.
Second half
United seemed relatively comfortable in the opening minutes of the first half, but both the home and away fans alike were in shock as Rodrigo crossed the ball into the top right corner of De Gea’s goal in the 53rd minute. The goal came from nothing, and the Spanish shot-stopper will have been disappointed the concede in such freak circumstances.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut things went from bad to worse for Ralf Rangnick’s team, as Leeds struck level just 24 seconds after play had resumed from United’s kick-off. VAR waved off appeals for a foul in the build-up on Fernandes, and it was none other than Daniel James who crossed the ball towards the far post, where Raphinha tapped home just nine minutes after being introduced at the interval.
The home crowd were ecstatic, with the momentum really driving Leeds forward. However, the game became more even in the stages that followed. Around the hour mark, fouls were breaking up the game, with either side unable to sustain any relentless attacking play.
The scrappy and wet conditions were perfect for a trademark Wan-Bissaka performance, and his two successive sliding challenges optimised what he is all about on the 65th minute mark. Shortly after, Fred and Elanga replaced Pogba and Lingard respectively.
Many fans were dismayed at the decision to bring Fred on following his dismal showing in midweek, especially in place of a player who was running the show in the first half, but the German manager’s decision proved a tidy one, with Fred powering United into the lead once more as the 70th minute passed by. The Brazilian, having been teed up by a delicate Sancho layoff, bagged his 3rd league goal of the season with a clinical finish inside the near left post.
Elanga could have sealed the deal just moments later after being found by Sancho from the left, but the Swede could only register a tame effort into the hands of Illan Meslier.
Varane replaced Ronaldo in the 85th minute, with Rangnick looking to protect his team’s lead with five defenders.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn the final few minutes of the ninety, Elanga redeemed himself for missing the chance, in what was truly a calm, composed manner. Fernandes found space in the final third after a wonderful flick over his marker, managing to tee up Elanga, who slipped it through Meslier’s legs for an emphatic four goal triumph. The 19-year-old showed confidence when celebrating, shushing the crowd, having been hit by coins when celebrating Fred’s strike earlier on.
Final score: Leeds United 2-4 Manchester United (Rodrigo 53’, Raphinha 54’) (Maguire 34’, Fernandes 45+5’, Fred 70’, Elanga 88’)
Man of the match
Embed from Getty ImagesThere was a whole host of players who could have staked a claim for the award on Sunday afternoon, with Fernandes registering his 60th Premier League goal involvement in 76 games, and with Paul Pogba maintaining a 100% success rate in both dribbles and long passes across the course of the match. Lindelöf lived up to his Ice Man title, with 9 ball recoveries and 4 clearances to his name, but it was Sancho again who shone above the rest.
The winger ranked 1st across the whole United team for final third passes (21), touches in the opposition box (8), chances created (3) and, most importantly of all of these stats, goal assists (2). His attacking display was thrilling today, with the former Dortmund man really starting to rediscover the swagger that he showed so often in the Bundesliga.
Sancho’s defensive output should not go unnoticed, though, with the summer signing clocking up an impressive 9 ball recoveries, as well as coming out on top in 5 duels.
Whilst it is easy to feel bombarded with stats, they really offer a good insight into the performance of a player who might get ignored because he wasn’t on the scoresheet. In the unforeseen absence of Mason Greenwood, he has managed to consistently start games of football, with his influence growing from match to match. Long may it continue!
The bigger picture
Embed from Getty ImagesHaving struggled to maintain composure and concentration in the early stages of second halves this season, the way that Rangnick’s team let the lead slip came as no shock to many Reds fans. Although, one thing that will have pleasantly surprised fans was the team’s resilience and quality to regain their focus, and ultimately go on to win the game.
United did well to quash Leeds’ growing momentum after the equaliser. To go on and win the game from a position of vulnerability is something fans haven’t often seen this campaign, so supporters will hope that this is a big step forward in the mentality of certain players who have previously been renowned for bottling it when the going gets tough.
Embed from Getty ImagesRangnick has been supportive of his under-fire captain in recent weeks, only recently saying that Maguire would retain the captaincy for the rest of the season at a minimum. The £80m man repaid his manager’s faith against Marcelo Bielsa’s side, managing to look good in both areas in what were harrowing weather conditions. It has to be about building consistency for Maguire, now, with the form of the defender pivotal to his team’s top four charge.
Speaking of consistency, it was another good showing from Sancho. As has already been mentioned, the winger is really looking good now he has had a run in the team. His chance creation qualities differentiate him from the likes of Rashford and Elanga, and his abilities will come in handy as United approach the business end of the season.
Embed from Getty ImagesPogba proved today why Fred ought to remain on the bench for the foreseeable future. The Frenchman showed his swagger in midfield, and whilst it is probable that he is putting himself in the shop window, his good performances will do United no harm as the team look to establish a strong starting eleven between now and the Summer.
Another goal for Elanga as well, today. The academy lad has now scored 2 goals in the league this season, and it was refreshing to see him brought on ahead of an underperforming Rashford. Patience is the key with the Swede, who looks like he is developing into a regular under the guidance of Rangnick.
United are now 4th in the table. Whilst the distance ahead of West Ham now looks good, Arsenal and Spurs can both overtake United should they win their games in hand. However, all the team can do is win as many games as possible and get points on the board, and they did exactly that today.
Next up for Ralf’s Reds is a trip to Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, where Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side will look to thwart United’s improving form. It will be a tough test on Wednesday night (20:00 GMT), with a certain Cristiano Ronaldo looking to silence the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium once more.
