Marcus Rashford rose Manchester United from a slumberous performance with the winner against a stubborn Leeds side on Sunday.
The Red Devils claimed a vital 2-0 win at Elland Road just as it looked like their top-four place would be coming under increasing threat by more dropped points against relegation-threatened Leeds, fresh off their midweek draw at Old Trafford.
Man United started slowly in both halves in that game and were guilty again here, allowing Crysencio Summerville to fire over just four minutes in as the Yorkshire club were backed by a raucous home support.
Jadon Sancho lacked sharpness on his first start since October and yet the visitors too often focused their attacks down his right flank, leaving Rashford painfully unused for much of the first hour.
Only a Maximilian Wober mistake allowed them to create any opening of substance in the first half, Bruno Fernandes seeing a stoppage-time shot tipped wide by Illan Meslier.
Once again, as the second half began, Man United looked slow and sloppy. Multiple errors in playing out from the back allowed Leeds to fire on goal, most notably through Summerville and Jack Harrison.
Still under the caretaker tutelage of Michael Skubala, the home team offered plenty in the way of action and passion but also found Harry Maguire in fine defensive form as he continuously repelled balls into the box upon his return to the XI.
Maguire’s last start in a Premier League away game came in Man United’s 4-0 roughing up by Brentford and there were moments when a similar collapse was being threatened by Erik ten Hag’s men.
Instead, Leeds grew a touch tired and the visitors began to show their quality, Diogo Dalot thumping the crossbar shortly after the hour mark.
This scrappy, old school affair was dying out for a moment of class to break the deadlock and Luke Shaw provided it with a sumptuous cross for Rashford on 79 minutes, duly headed home by the in-form forward for his 21st of the season.
OF COURSE IT HAS TO BE RASHFORD!!!! 🔥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 12, 2023
VAR checks and the goal is given ✅ pic.twitter.com/7djzmF82O4
Soon after, substitute Alejandro Garnacho broke clear to bury his effort via the near-post and the points were destined to return to Manchester.
Rashford and Wout Weghorst had late extras ruled out for offside as Man United moved seven points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham and to within five of leaders Arsenal, who hold two games in hand.
