Leeds United’s bid for Premier League survival was dealt another blow on Sunday as they were beaten 4-2 at Elland Road by Manchester United.
The Whites had been able to recover from their two-goal first-half deficit through goals from Rodrigo and Raphinha, but they ultimately came away with nothing.
The ongoing injury problems and defensive issues were clear for all to see throughout the match as the quality in Ralf Rangnick’s side eventually shone through.
Following results elsewhere in the Premier League over the weekend, Leeds’ gap to the relegation zone now stands at just five points.
The situation for Marcelo Bielsa’s side could become much bleaker with games against Liverpool (a) and Tottenham (h) to come in the next six days.
However, there is still plenty of optimism in West Yorkshire and former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford is not yet worried about the prospect of a return to the Championship.
“I wouldn’t say I’m concerned [about relegation], I’m sitting more in the frustrated camp,” he said on Sky Sports’ coverage of the defeat.
“It’s still five points which is two wins from all of the teams below. With the form that those teams are in, I’m not entirely sure they’re going to get two wins back-to-back to put that immense pressure on to close the gap on Leeds United.”
As an ambassador for the club, Beckford chose to take the positives from the performance as the Whites, albeit briefly, showed their ability to overturn a significant deficit once again.
“To be able to come back from being two goals down with the game seemingly dead and buried was a brilliant reaction and response from the players,” he added.
“I think there was a moment where Leeds could have made it 3-2 and had that opportunity been taken, I don’t think Manchester United would have been able to get back in the game because, at that moment, Manchester United didn’t look like they had much else in the tank.
“But, all of a sudden, the chance doesn’t go in and Manchester United go down the other end and score.”
As Beckford alluded to, it will take a big effort from the sides below to go above Leeds in the table but the results over the weekend suggest they are capable of doing that.
Burnley and Watford both picked up three points in their vital victories against Brighton and Aston Villa respectively while Newcastle impressed again in a 1-1 draw at West Ham.
The performances, and results, will have to improve rather rapidly at Elland Road if Leeds are to maintain their current gap to the relegation zone as we head into the business end of the season.
