A thrilling battle between two longtime rivals at Old Trafford finished in a stalemate despite Manchester United’s two-goal comeback to save a 2-2 tie.
Halftime did little to slow down the game’s fast tempo, which continued throughout the whole 90 minutes. Wilfried Gnonto scored just 55 seconds into the game, and four minutes into the second half, Raphael Varane scored an own goal to give Leeds United a 2-1 lead.
Leeds struggled to defend for extended periods of time, as they have often this season, and their fast-paced style of play repeatedly cost them. Marcus Rashford scored a goal to give the Red Devils a narrow lead.Jadon Sancho, a substitute, came off the bench barely nine minutes after the halfway point to tie the score.
Alejandro Garnacho, who was particularly impressive in the first 45 minutes, might have given United more opportunities, but the hosts’ midfield play was quite shoddy. in particular Fredcould not keep control when being pressed by Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie, two American players, the first of whom was making his Premier League debut.
In only four days, these two clubs will meet again at Elland Road because of a postponed match that results in an unusual back-to-back league matchup.
The Sporting News covered the encounter between Manchester United and Leeds United in real time, giving live updates on the score as well as analysis and highlights as the game progressed.
Man United’s starting lineup in their preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, from right to left, is as follows: 1. De Gea (GK) — 20. Dalot, 19. Varane, 6. L. Martinez, 23. Shaw — 17. Fred, and 23. Shaw. 15. Sabitzer — 49. Garnacho (Pellistri, 59′), 8. Fernandes, 10. Rashford — 27. Weghorst (Sancho, 59′).
The starting lineup for Leeds United’s 4-2-3-1 formation, from right to left, is as follows: 1. Meslier (GK) — 2. 39. Wober, 5. Koch, 21. Struijk (Firpo*, 23′) — 28. Adams, 12. McKennie (Fernandez, 89′) — 23. Sinisterra (Summerville, 8′), 11. Harrison (Aaronson, 63′), 29. Gnonto (Greenwood, 89′) — 9. Bamford (Rutter, 63′).
The change of Junior Firpo for Pascal Struijk by Leeds United in the 23rd minute was a concussion substitute.
Post-game analysis of Manchester United’s encounter against Leeds United
Casemiro and Eriksen are two players whom Manchester United sadly miss.
On many instances during today’s game, the Manchester United midfield was dismantled, and it was clear that the absence of the Brazilian anchor Casemiro contributed to this.
On his first game, Marcel Sabitzer performed well, but his midfield pivot partner Fred was abysmal. Fred often lost possession of the ball, which made it easy for Leeds to mess up the game. Throughout the whole of the game, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie posed a threat by causing disruption in the center of the field with their high work rate and strategic placement.
Sabitzer is a terrific player, and the midfield will be formidable again when Casemiro returns, but Fred is now unable to perform at the necessary level. If Scott McTominay returns from his injury before Casmiro does, it would not be shocking to see him retake his starting role.
After losing Marsch, Leeds United have not altered their playing style.
As Leeds United have done under Jesse Marsch and Marcelo Bielsa before him, this match was played at a blazing tempo. At least in terms of aesthetics, this squad has not changed at all since the American was let go.
On the other hand, Leeds scored on their best opportunity in front of goal, something they’d had trouble doing all season. Brenden Aaronson’s late free-kick attempt was just missed.
Still, there are obvious drawbacks to this kind of play since it is so taxing. Leeds’ defense was woefully porous, and Manchester United easily could have scored four or five times on another day. An example of this kind of play isreally wonderful, but not maintainable in its present condition. In particular, Luke Ayling struggled with his wide defensive responsibilities, andhad run out of steam by the time the game ended. The next permanent manager may need to bring some order to the field if this club is to survive.
Just what does Wout Weghorst offer to Manchester United?
United’s top scorer Marcus Rashford is healthy again, and Alejandro Garnacho is back to his old self on the bench.
a promising young player who has already returned to form with a goal and an assist in the first half, Jadon Sancho is a player to watch. This assault by the Red Devils is well-timed in that regard.
They lack excellent No. 9 however. Wout Weghorst was acquired at the close of the January transfer window, but he has yet to establish that he can seamlessly slide into the position and give the essential ability to get his teammates into the action.
The big Dutchman was sinking much too deep and not providing enough hold-up play for that strategy to be effective. Therefore, he disappeared in the last period. For the sake of argument, supposeIf United’s quick turnaround following Weghorst’s substitution shows anything, it’s that he was holding them back. Marcus Rashford replaced him up top, while Jadon Sancho and Facundo Pellistri moved to the wings.
It took some time for Weghorst to find his place on this squad, and his contributions are still not obvious. There is currently no evidence that he will ever be capable of doing so.
Updates, highlights, and analysis of Man United’s match vs Leeds United.
FULLTIME: Man U. and Leeds U. draw, 2-2
Leeds United starts off life without Jesse Marsch with a meaningful point, while Manchester United will cling to the draw knowing it might have been much worse.
An exciting game that was played at a breakneck speed the whole time. Both teams should be commended for their efforts throughout the whole 90 minutes. Both teams benefited and suffered, but overall it was a reasonable outcome.
Manchester United had their chances, but they were sloppy in the middle of the field and lacked bite at times in the first half, making it difficult to argue they earned the win.
Second half, 90+3 minutes: Manchester United vs. Leeds United: Because the ball is being passed back and forth between the two teams in the middle of the field, the game ends with a messy finale. Will Leeds United be able to keep hold of this extremely important point?
The last few minutes of this game are going to wear you out. Luke Ayling has no more gas in his tank and can hardly push Luke Shaw down the left side as he comes close to working an opportunity for Fred, but it is blocked. Luke Ayling has been eliminated from contention.Mateo Fernandez and Sam Greenwood come in as replacements for Weston McKennie and Wilfried Gnonto, but this time it’s not for Ayling. Instead, it’s for Ayling’s teammates Weston McKennie and Wilfried Gnonto. An additional five minutes of time…
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Junior Firpo engages in a 50/50 battle with Bruno Fernandes in the 87th minute, and the referee blows the play dead. Yikes, this is a stressful time for Leeds.sound the whistle once Fernandes has been knocked out. The referee gives Firpo a lot of time to deliberate about receiving further penalty, but in the end, he decides against it. Firpo already has a yellow card. This is most likely the best course of action.
Marcus Rashford almost got on the end of the free kick delivery at the near post, but Weston McKennie got a hair’s breadth of a touch on it to throw him off. The delivery of the free kick causes a lot of anxiety for Leeds at the back as they try to defend it.
81st minute: Here’s your chance, Manchester United! WOW, Bruno Fernandes gets so close to winning despite having almost no advantages. At the top of the penalty area, the Portuguese playmaker had very few alternatives, so he decided to go for it and hit his shot on goal.putting his head down and ripping one out. It was obvious that the whole Leeds defensive unit, including Illan Meslier, was taken off guard by it, but the shot ended up flying just inches past the crossbar. Keep an eye out!
In the 80th minute, Marcel Sabitzer is cautioned for a hip check on Wilfried Gnonto. Fred is to blame for this one since it is included in a freebie he gave out. Manchester United’s bench is preparing for a shuffle.
Man U. had a chance in the 78th minute! DAMN THAT MESLIER SAVED US! The goalie for Leeds United makes a spectacular diving save to keep a Raphael Varane header out of the net and preserve a draw for his team. It was a huge success.like Rashford’s first goal, but this time it’s Bruno Fernandes who puts the cross into Varane’s path. What a fantastic stop that was! The player who was beaten by the French defense in the air was Luke Ayling.
Junior Firpo was beaten and seized the England international by the shoulders in the 77th minute, making the decision to send him him as simple as it gets.
The 71st minute goal! MALE CONSENSUS! Leeds has given away the lead on a goal by substitute Jadon Sancho. After yielding to mounting pressure, the tourists give in. The game ball goes to Luke Shaw.Illan Meslier is slow to react as Jadon Sancho sprints past him and into the box to receive the ball after it was deflected by the Leeds defense.
I can’t even describe how exciting this game is.
