Leeds United and Manchester United met for the second time in just a few days, in this Premier League encounter. Following the draw in midweek, the away side took all three points in this one after two late goals.
As the game got underway it was Leeds with the first chance in front of their home supporters at Elland Road.
Patrick Bamford pulled the ball back into the middle of the box and after David De Gea had attempted to palm it clear, Crysencio Summerville followed up on the rebound but his left-footed strike flew narrowly over.
There was then plenty of battle, big challenges and fight on show in this match between two fierce rivals, but not many chances in the opening period in West Yorkshire. There were yellow cards though, with Junior Firpo and Fred going into the book early on.
In a heated encounter, Bruno Fernandes shot at goal from the edge of the area but he put it wide - before Weston McKennie was then the next into the referee’s notepad.
Before the break, a big chance did come at either end as we approached stoppage time. Summerville again caused problems against the visitors, but De Gea was well positioned to stop, smothering the ball at his feet and then clearing.
Up the other end, Fernandes picked up a loose pass and was able to race in on goal one-on-one. However, much like his counterpart at the other end, Illan Meslier stood tall and brilliantly turned the effort wide of the post.
When the whistle sounded for half-time, the match was still goalless as the teams went back to their respective dressing rooms.
No changes at the break meant each side came out and were aiming to start quickly and find the opener. Leeds nearly did just that, with Summerville again looking to force the issue and making De Gea save his shot once more.
Three more quick efforts followed in succession for the Whites. First off, Jack Harrison shot just wide, Luke Ayling’s volley on the edge of the box was deflected wide seconds later, and lastly Robin Koch’s header was blocked from a corner!
Changes then came from each bench. Georginio Rutter came on for Bamford, whilst the visitors swapped Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia for Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho.
Just after the hour mark in the match, the away side went closest to opening the scoring. Diogo Dalot was fed the ball on the edge of the box and shot powerfully, seeing his effort cannon back off the crossbar and away to safety.
Having been superb defensively up the 70th minute, Ayling was close to opening the scoring in an attacking area! When the ball came his way from a corner, the captain tried an audacious over-head kick and it was brilliantly executed, only to see De Gea well-positioned to save again.
The Manchester United ‘keeper was playing well and was frustrating the Whites when called upon. The stopper made his latest save from Summerville, who again burst into the box only to be denied.
The scoring was then opened 80th minute. From Luke Shaw’s cross into the box, Rashford met the delivery by flicking a header into the far corner to put his side one-up.
With Leeds pushing forward searching for a leveller, the away team were able to counter attack and double the lead through Garnacho, who burst into the box and finished well.
In the final stages of the game, Rashford and then Wout Weghorst also found the back of the net, but they were both correctly ruled out, meaning the away side finished the game with a two-goal win to claim the three points.
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Ayling (C), Firpo, Koch, Bamford (Rutter 58’), Summerville, Harrison (Aaronson 73’), Adams, McKennie (Greenwood 86’), Gnonto, Wober. Subs not used: Robles (GK), Gyabi, Kristensen, Monteiro, Joseph, Mullen.
Man Utd: De Gea (GK), Maguire (C), Fernandes, Rashford (Elanga 90’), Malacia (Martinez 61’), Sabitzer, Fred, Dalot (Wan-Bissaka 73’), Shaw, Sancho (Garnacho 61’), Weghorst. Subs not used: Heaton (GK), Lindelof, Varane, Pellistri, Iqbal.
Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 36,919
Referee: Paul Tierney
Booked: Firpo, McKennie (Leeds) Fred (Man Utd)