Leeds United vs Manchester United. Premier League.
Elland RoadAttendance36,919.
Match report and free highlights as Man Utd beat Leeds 2-0 at Elland Road to close the gap on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League to five points; Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho score late goals for Erik ten Hag's side; Leeds stay 17th as their winless run extends to nine games
Monday 13 February 2023 08:56, UK
Manchester United found a way to beat managerless Leeds at the second time of asking as late goals from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho gave them a 2-0 win at Elland Road.
Having drawn 2-2 at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, the two fierce rivals faced off again in West Yorkshire on Super Sunday and treated supporters to another entertaining spectacle.
After an intriguing, goalless first half, Rashford continued his sensational scoring streak with an exquisite header in the 80th minute before substitute Garnacho's fine finish sealed all three points for the visitors (85).
The result saw Erik ten Hag's side close the gap on leaders Arsenal to five points and temporarily move above Manchester City into second place before the champions beat Aston Villa later in the day.
Leeds, managed by interim boss Michael Skubala as the search for Jesse Marsch's permanent successor continues, will take confidence from earning a draw at Old Trafford and pushing their opponents all the way again at Elland Road, but their winless run in the Premier League extends to nine games. They remain 17th, one point and one position above Everton.
Just like in Manchester four days ago, Leeds started on the front foot and almost took an early lead but Crysencio Summerville blazed over from a few yards out. Moments before half-time, the 21-year-old again went close to putting the hosts in front but David de Gea, making his 400th Premier League appearance, saved his effort from a tight angle.
United did well to weather the Leeds storm and there was still time in the half for one more chance. Max Wober's mistake at the back allowed Bruno Fernandes a clear run and strike at goal, but his low drive was brilliantly saved by Illan Meslier to keep the game goalless at the break.
The visitors soaked up more Leeds pressure at the start of the second half and responded by almost scoring the opening goal when Diogo Dalot's powerful effort from the edge of the box struck the crossbar.
Luke Ayling and Summerville then went close for the home side before Rashford rose highest to head home Luke Shaw's brilliant cross from the left to register his 13th goal in 15 appearances since the season resumed after the World Cup.
Garnacho, brought on for Jadon Sancho with half an hour to go, then showed why he is rated so highly at Old Trafford with a driving run and ruthless finish to make sure of the win.
United almost increased their lead again in the closing stages but Rashford and Wout Weghorst both had efforts ruled out for offside in stoppage time.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag told Sky Sports: "We needed more composure in the game and I think that was the big problem. It's normal because it's a derby, it's a rivalry, but in possession you have to be calm and we were not calm enough.
"Once again though we showed we are a squad and we are the only team in the whole of Europe that are playing in four competitions. You have to use your squad when it's like that and everyone is contributing, everyone is important and that's a good thing to know.
"Then you can use that tactically and we did today. We're happy with the win, to go to Elland Road and collect three points, but I'm still a little bit disappointed to drop two points against them on Wednesday because it was unnecessary."
Leeds interim boss Michael Skubala told Sky Sports: "I'm disappointed because I thought we played well. It was a tight game in the first half and a bit cagey, but I thought both teams had a good structure and were tactically sound.
"In the second half, I thought we came out the better team and we should have scored a goal to open the game up, but goals change games and the first goal changed the game in the 80th minute with their class.
"I try to be positive and the group tries to be positive. We try to go after the game and try to win it. I was just hoping we'd get a goal in the first 20 minutes of the first half.
"Not scoring the first goal [has cost us]. They scored the first goal and we had to then change our shape and in the end, we conceded the second and that's the difference at the top level."
Sky Sports' Dan Sansom:
When Erik ten Hag was selecting his starting line-ups for Manchester United's two games with Leeds this week, the lack of midfield options at his disposal would have surely concerned him.
With Casemiro suspended, Scott McTominay injured, and Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek out for the long term, United's strength in depth in the middle of the pitch has been analysed more in recent weeks than at any other time this season.
Wednesday's draw at Old Trafford only highlighted that issue but after a 2-0 win at Elland Road on Sunday, the outlook has changed slightly thanks to Fred's player-of-the-match performance.
The Brazilian produced an accomplished display in West Yorkshire, ranking first for tackles won (eight) and intensive runs (292). The 29-year-old was also second for distance covered (10km), possession won (11), duels won (11) and final third entries (eight).
United are undoubtedly weaker without their preferred pairing of Casemiro and Eriksen, but with four fixtures still to come in February - including a two-legged Europa League play-off with Barcelona and the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle - Fred demonstrated he's more than capable of stepping up when United need him most.
Harry Maguire, who returned to Manchester United's starting line-up, played down his own role in the victory but admitted the visitors had wanted "revenge" for failing to win on home soil in midweek.
"Winning the game is the most important [thing], it's not about myself," Maguire told Sky Sports.
"I'm the captain of the team, I put the team miles before myself and whether I'm playing or not I want the team to do well and be successful.
"It's been a good season up to now, there's a still a lot of improvement and the big games are coming but it's nice to come here, get a clean sheet and a victory and it's a big one for the fans.
"We know coming to Elland Road it's going to be a tough place, there will be times when they have a little bit of momentum. It came early on in both halves but we focused and knew our quality would come through so we had to battle and fight for every ball.
"We know how important this victory is to our fans. Having not got it at Old Trafford in the week was disappointing so we knew this was about revenge and we got that."
David de Gea, who equalled Peter Schmeichel's record of 178 clean sheets for United on his 400th Premier League appearance, told Sky Sports: "Today wasn't about the 400, it was about winning the game.
"We did it, so I can enjoy the 400th Premier League game. It's great to come here, play like we did today, keep a clean sheet and [get] three massive points. A perfect day."
Maguire paid tribute to De Gea, adding: "To play 400 games as number one for this club, probably the most scrutinised position in world football, that just shows how good he is.
"He's an absolute legend for the club and is still performing at the highest level.
"He's world class and has proven that again this season so it's a pleasure to play in front of him."
Leeds defender Luke Ayling felt his side can take the positives despite the defeat.
He said on Sky Sports: "We played really well for 80 minutes and we gave it our all. We had some big chances in the second half.
"But they had one chance and you can't give a player who's that much in confidence time in the box to score goals. We're going to have to take the positives from it.
"I think we can be proud of the last four days in a week that's been tricky for the club, we stuck together and we've played really well in these two games and now we move on to next Saturday."
Ayling added his support for the job interim boss Michael Skubala is doing.
The defender added: "We aren't sure what's going on behind the scenes if we're close to getting a manager but [Skubala] and his staff have done an absolutely brilliant job these last few days. Our team effort has shown that."
The game at Elland Road was played out in a cauldron of noise but the usual hostilities stepped over the line shortly before half-time when chants about the 1958 Munich air disaster and the death of two Leeds fans in Istanbul in 2000 were swapped by small groups of rival fans.
After the final whistle, Leeds and Manchester United issued a joint statement about the sickening chants heard inside the stadium.
The statement read: "Both clubs strongly condemn chanting from both sets of fans regarding historic tragedies at today's game.
"Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and we will continue to work together with our respective fan groups and the Premier League and other authorities on eradicating it from football."
The Premier League also released a statement, which read: "The Premier League condemns the chanting heard during today's match between Leeds United and Manchester United.
"The League is treating the issue of tragedy chanting as a priority and as a matter of urgency."
Leeds travel to relegation rivals Everton next Saturday (kick-off 3pm) before hosting fellow strugglers Southampton on February 25 (kick-off 3pm).
Manchester United return to European action next Thursday when they travel to Barcelona for the first leg of their Europa League play-off (kick-off 5.45pm).
Erik ten Hag's side then host Leicester in the Premier League on Sunday, live on Sky Sports (kick-off 4.30pm).
