Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 11:16 AM EST
Manchester United dug deep to overcome Leeds United 4-2 in a thriller at Elland Road.
It was looking ever so comfortable for Ralf Rangnick’s side as they found themselves two goals to the good at half-time thanks to their captain, Harry Maguire, and Bruno Fernandes.
Maguire’s header saw United score their first goal from a corner in the Premier League this season and Fernandes doubled their lead in first-half added time with another header when Jadon Sancho delicately found him at the back post.
Leeds made changes at the break, with Joe Gelhardt and Raphinha introduced, and pulled one back through a wild cross-cum-shot from Rodrigo. His effort looped over David de Gea and Elland Road erupted.
Marcelo Bielsa’s substitutions paid off as Raphinha equalised for Leeds seconds less than a minute later. The former United man, Daniel James, fired a cross to the back post where the Brazilian tapped home.
Leeds looked the likelier of the two teams to go and take the lead but Rangnick made a double change that swung the game in his side’s favour.
Paul Pogba — who was excellent in the first half — was hooked for Fred just shy of the 70th minute and Jesse Lingard made way for Anthony Elanga.
Minutes later, Sancho picked out the overlapping Fred who smashed the ball past Illan Meslier. The Leeds goalkeeper could have done better as he was beaten at his near post.
Elanga appeared to have been struck by an object during the celebrations but the young Swede had the last laugh as he sealed the three points with a neat finish late in the game.
Fernandes added an assist to his goal as his excellent piece of individual skill took the ball over Pascal Struijk before teeing up Elanga.
For Rangnick, he extends United’s unbeaten run in the league to seven matches — the longest active streak in the league.
Bielsa and Leeds, meanwhile, sit just five points clear of the relegation zone.
Background reading
- What’s going on with Rangnick’s goal-shy Man United?
- Leeds vs Man United at Elland Road: Let the battle commence
- Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds future: This time it’s different
(Photo: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
February 20, 2022 at 10:58 AM EST
FT: Leeds United 2-4 Manchester United
90+6′ Leeds United 2-4 Manchester United
What a thriller at Elland Road. United looked certain to pick up three points at half-time but Leeds fought back and got it back to 2-2. Ralf Rangnick made changes and Fred rewarded his manager to make it 3-2. United then went on to seal the deal with another goal from a substitute in Elanga.
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:54 AM EST
Coaches on the pitch!
90′ Leeds United 2-4 Manchester United
Frustration creeping into Leeds as Firpo wipes out Elanga. United players aren’t happy and Rangnick enters the pitch to calm his players.
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:51 AM EST
ELANGA WRAPS IT UP! 2-4!
88′ Leeds United 2-4 Manchester United
Fernandes flicks the ball over his head with a great piece of skill and tees up Elanga who finishes well past Meslier.
Brad Cox
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February 20, 2022 at 10:48 AM EST
Ronaldo off, Varane on.
85′ Leeds United 2-3 Manchester United
United make another change as they look to see this match out.
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:45 AM EST
SAVE! De Gea with a finger tip save
83′ Leeds United 2-3 Manchester United
Klich with a volley but De Gea tips it over the bar. Leeds putting some pressure on now.
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:42 AM EST
The Fred celebrations
An instant impact.
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:37 AM EST
CHANCE!
75′ Leeds United 2-3 Manchester United
Firpo finds Klich open in the box and shifts the ball onto his left but can’t get enough power on the strike. It trickles into De Gea’s hands.
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:35 AM EST
CHANCE!
72′ Leeds United 2-3 Manchester United
Elanga strikes right at Meslier but he should have done better. Sancho picked him out brilliantly.
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:33 AM EST
FRED 3-2! What a strike!
70′ Leeds United 2-3 Manchester United
What a strike it is! Fred, who has just been subbed on, absolutely hammers one past Meslier. Sancho with his second assist of the day.
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:29 AM EST
Rangnick makes changes
67′ Leeds United 2-2 Manchester United
Elanga on.
Fred on.
Lingard off.
Pogba off.
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:28 AM EST
Sancho shot deflected wide
65′ Leeds United 2-2 Manchester United
Good build-up from United as Ronaldo finds Sancho on the left whose effort is deflected wide.
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:24 AM EST
Man United all over the shop
61′ Leeds United 2-2 Manchester United
Composure out the window, Leeds on the front foot with a bouncing crowd behind them. Can the Whites find a winner?
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:22 AM EST
How it happened
Look at that pitch!
(Photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:19 AM EST
GOAL GIVEN
56′ Leeds United 2-2 Manchester United
After a VAR check for a foul on Fernandes, the goal stands. What a final 30+ minutes we’re in for.
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:17 AM EST
IT’S 2-2! RAPHINHA EQUALISES!
54′ Leeds United 2-2 Manchester United
Two goals in two minutes for Leeds! They’re right back in it now. It’s Raphinha who taps Daniel James’ cross in at the back!
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:16 AM EST
GOAL! Rodrigo 2-1!
53′ Leeds United 1-2 Manchester United
LEEDS ARE BACK IN IT! It’s a cross-cum-shot and it loops over De Gea into the back of the net. No doubt the rain helped him scuff the cross and into the back of the net. Elland Road has lift off!
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:14 AM EST
Ronaldo straight at meslier
51′ Leeds United 0-2 Manchester United
But it wouldn’t count anyway, he was a good yard or two offside.
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:11 AM EST
The ball is seriously struggling
48′ Leeds United 0-2 Manchester United
Early indications are that players will struggle to get the ball down and play. The rain has had a real impact on the ground.
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:07 AM EST
Changes for Leeds at the break
Raphinha on.
Gelhardt on.
Llorente off.
Harrison off.
Brad Cox
February 20, 2022 at 10:06 AM EST
Second half coming up
The rain is coming down.
It’s apparently getting even worse at Elland Road and officials are testing to see how well the ball rolls.
Brad Cox
