Thank you very much for your company today. Here is Louise Taylor’s report from a wet and windy Elland Road.
Honorable mention for Lindelof today who did some incredible working bringing out the ball from the back to instigate a number of attacks.
Wolves v Leicester is a decent game, you will be pleased to know. A lively start at Molineux.
Very exciting to see Pogba come back into form for Manchester United. Such a great player on his day who has found some consistency in recent weeks. Rangnick will also be pleased that Sancho is settling at Old Trafford, with another impressive display today, earning Man of the Match from Gary Neville.
This happened in Manchester last night ...
There were some positives for Bielsa as the Leeds frontline cut through the Man United defence impressively at times but their own backline was mildly farcical.
In excellent news ... Alex Hess is taking you through the joys of Wolves v Leicester. What a day!
Maguire on winning from 2-2: “I think that is the most pleasing aspect of the game. We have to start the second half better. The first goal is really lucky on their behalf. Then they scored a good goal. We had to fight back - and we did that.”
On scoring Man United’s first goal from a corner this season. “Every time I see the stat, I am embarrassed. As a team and a group we know it’s not been good enough. If we score more from set-plays we’d be further up the table.”
On weather: “The conditions in the second half were really bad. The half we were defending was really waterlogged.”
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A good day for drenched fans in the away end. Shame they have to deal with a train strike in their attempt to get home. I wouldn’t advise walking back to Manchester.
“Marvellous nostalgic game in the rain. So reminiscent of Man U v Leeds of yesteryear,” says Dean Kinsella.
The double changes paid off for both sides as Raphinha and Gelhardt had a big impact on Leeds’ attacking play, while Fred and Elanga made the difference on the scoresheet. A good day for managers, in a way.
Full-time: Leeds 2-4 Manchester United
What a cracking game in impressively awful conditions. There were some great moments of quality from both team but Man United deserve the victory thanks to their clinical attacking and finishing.
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90+4 mins: Just before Leeds conceded the fourth I was about to post how tired they looked. It’s fair to say that since the Elanga goal things have slowed down.
90+2 mins: Rangnick goes onto the pitch to calm things down. The referee gets a few of the players around him and tells them all to calm down. Junior Firpo is cautioned for his efforts. Luke Shaw is booked for legging it across the pitch to remonstrate.
We are well into the five minutes of added time.
90 mins: Elanga will enjoy his goal after getting coined by the home fans. One in the eye for the tosser who through the item.
He is cleaned out by Junior Firpo and then a lot of players get involved in a melee as they do not like the challenge.
GOAL! Leeds 2-4 Manchester United (Elanga, 88)
Fernandes slips the ball through to Elanga who calmly slots his shot under Meslier. Game over.
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86 mins: Ronaldo is replaced by Varane as Man United look to shut up shop. Varane will play in between Maguire and Lindelof.
84 mins: Leeds are very much on top here and Man United are holding on. The fans are trying to give their team one last push.
Rodrigo is the latest to try his luck but his shot from 30 yards is wild and off target.
82 mins: McTominay commits another foul. The Leeds players sprint over to shout at the referee as they want the Scot to be sent off for a second booking. The only person who is booked is Raphinha for his complaints.
The free-kick ends with De Gea tipping over a dipping shot from distance.
80 mins: A low cross from James is met at the near post by a man in Red and lumped out for a throw.
78 mins: McTominay is cautioned for his fifth foul of the day after crunching into Gelhardt a touch late.
76 mins: Forshaw is booked for stopping Fred from counter-attacking.
74 mins: Tackles flying in on the halfway line as players from box sides happily throw themselves around. Ends with a Leeds free-kick. The conditions are good for a slide challenge.
Klich gets another chance inside the area but his effort is poor from 17 yards and De Gea holds on.
72 mins: It looks like Elanga was hit in the head by something thrown from the crowd.
The Swede almost angers the Leeds fans some more by getting the ball in space in the box but his finish is weak, allowing Meslier to grab hold. Leeds look very open at the back.
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GOAL! Leeds 2-3 Manchester United (Fred, 70)
What an impact. A freeflowing move ends with Sancho and Fred combining in the box, allowing the Brazilian to whack home from close range. Lots of things thrown from the crowd at the Man United players, you will not be shocked to hear.
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67 mins: Lingard and Pogba are off - Elanga and Fred on. Very odd that Pogba has been withdrawn, seeing as he’s been Man United’s best player.
Thomas Stratford says: “A lot of fans questioning Bielsa’s judgement of late but in these conditions my vote’s for the manager who had the foresight to bring a bucket with him…
“Hope whoever’s covering this live for the Guardian has found a vaguely dry spot to perch in this.”
65 mins: Lindelof strides out of defence, making it to the edge of the Leeds box, before laying the ball off to Ronaldo who quickly moves it to Sancho whose effort is deflected wide.
63 mins: Fred and Elanga are being summoned by Rangnick.
61 mins: Forshaw flicks a pass through to Gelhardt, he gets it out of his feet and drives a low shot towards goal but De Gea gets down well and holds on.
Struilk is booked for taking down Fernandes.
59 mins: Fernandes is snapping into challenges, fuming that he was not awarded a free-kick in the buildup to the second Leeds goal.
57 mins: The cat has been sent out to meet the pigeons. What a start to the second half. Man United really have fallen apart quickly here. They need to recover.
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55 mins: It does not look like a foul to me. No idea why they are watching this challenge by Forshaw on Fernandes so many times. GOAL GIVEN!
GOAL! Leeds 2-2 Manchester United (Raphinha, 54)
James crosses and finds Raphinha at the back post to tap in. There is a VAR check for a foul on Fernandes ...
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GOAL! Leeds 1-2 Manchester United (Rodrigo, 53)
Rodrigo gets the ball on the left wing and sends in a cross to the back post but it drifts over De Gea and into the net. Very lucky for Leeds. GAME ON!
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51 mins: Pogba drifts past Klich on the right flank and whips a dangerous cross along the six-yard line but there is no one there to convert.
“Leeds players would be wise to concentrate play in the deepest body of water,” says Ian Copestake.
Get the armbands on.
49 mins: Rodrigo slides in on Wan-Bissaka from about five yards away and ends up going five yards past him thanks to the slippy surface.
When Koch was taken off, Leeds did not stipulate it as a concussion sub for some reason, even though it was justified, meaning they could now have an extra sub. Odd decision-making.
47 mins: Gelhardt shows some promise as he drives at the defence and then passes to Klich whose shot from 25 yards is deflected wide. There is a very good amount of water on the playing surface now ...
Second half
Here we go again!
Raphinha and Gelhardt are coming on for Leeds. That is all their subs made now. A bold decision in conditions bad for hamstrings. Harrison and Llorente off - the latter was bloody awful.
The weather is so awful here that I am refusing to take my neighbours their milk which I have. If you are reading this, could you come and get it as I don’t want to drown out there.
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I am imagining second half carnage.
Somehow the rain is getting heavier at Elland Road
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) February 20, 2022
You’d have to think Raphinha will need to be sent on sooner or later if Leeds are to get back into this. Bielsa will outthink me and stick Bate on instead.
Finally!
1 - Man Utd have scored a Premier League goal from a corner for the first time since April 2021 against Burnley. Prior to today, the Red Devils had taken more corners in the division this season without scoring from such a situation than any other side (138). Overdue. pic.twitter.com/PG6oSuQCuZ
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 20, 2022
I am in the north - 52 miles from Elland Road - and I can confirm the weather is utterly horrific.
Half-time: Leeds 0-2 Manchester United
The game has been relatively tight but all the moments of quality have come from Manchester United. Leeds’ best chance now is that the rain causes plenty of puddles and gets the match called off, as they look dejected by the scoreline.
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GOAL! Leeds 0-2 Manchester United (Fernandes, 45+4)
Lindelof drives the visitors forward before laying the ball out to Sancho on the right, from where he clips in a cross for Fernandes to head home from six yards.
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45+4 mins: Klich picks up the ball 40 yards from goal and gets it out of his feet before launching a shot from distance but it flies well over the bar.
45+2 mins: There is plenty of surface water and the ball is being slowed down. I anticipate lots of people in oversized coats pushing the water to the side at half time.
45 mins: Six minutes added on.
Gary Neville thinks if the rain continues the game could be at risk ...
44 mins: Shambles at the back for Leeds! Fernandes pings a ball over the top for Ronaldo to chase but Meslier reads it and comes out to collect, only to see Llorente get there first and knock it over his own goalkeeper for a corner.
The corner is swung in by Shaw but beats everyone, including the two Man United who are left on the floor for some reasons or other.
42 mins: Klich receives a cross from Junior Firpo, which he holds up and lays back to Forshaw. The midfielder lines up the shot but sends it high and wide.
Klich catches Ronaldo, allowing the Portuguese the chance to roll around on the soaking turf for a few seconds.
40 mins: Sancho picks up a loose ball on the edge of the box, he draws in a defender and then fires off a rising shot with his left foot which goes over.
38 mins: Leeds have recovered relatively well from the goal, having a decent spell of possession but the crowd seem to have been somewhat subdued.
36 mins: A flare has been thrown onto the pitch from the away end to add a little red mist to proceedings.
GOAL! Leeds 0-1 Manchester United (Maguire, 34)
Pogba is looking in fine fettle today. He brushes off Forshaw once more, before passing to Fernandes who curls a shot towards the corner but Meslier dives to his left to repel his effort. The resulting corner is swung into the box by Shaw and Maguire rises highest to nod in.
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32 mins: Sancho has his first run at the Leeds defence; he tries to shimmy and cut inside but he is forced sideways, and eventually out.
Junior Firpo is on for the departed Koch.
30 mins: Koch is down and indicating to the medical staff he isn’t too happy with something or other. He makes a flashing sign to those treating him. If he has suffered a head injury, it might be sensible to bring him off. Ronaldo has walked over to offer his expertise on head injuries. Koch walks offer, helped by the medical staff. One wonders why he was allowed to continue in the first place.
28 mins: Fernandes whips a deep free-kick into the box but it is met by a Leeds head.
The way the ball is holding up in the turf does make me think there will soon be a comical moment with a backpass.
26 mins: Meslier messes up his clearance, sending the ball straight to Sancho. He passes it to Pogba who slides a pass through for McTominay but it is misdirected and the goalkeeper comes out to collect the loose ball.
What a save! The ball is slid across the six-yard box by Pogba for Ronaldo to tap in from close range but Meslier dives across to block the shot. Incredible stuff.
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24 mins: James is the latest person to writhe around in pain. His issue caused by Shaw’s hand catching him in the face.
The pitch is drenched with rain and passes are starting to slow on the surface.
22 mins: Once again Fernandes is down, shouting at the ref as he thinks he is the victim of a late foul. Tierney shakes his head again. Fernandes carries on his complaints for the next minute, standing alongside the referee to make sure he is understood.
De Gea is called into action as Forshaw drives into the box and fires a shot across the goalkeeper but he reads it, allowing him to fist the ball clear.
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20 mins: Ronaldo applauds a McTominay cross while watching it go over his head. I think he could have at least jumped before clapping.
“Never mind about cookies,” no one appreciates this comment Richard Harris. “United were drenched at Burnley, soaked to the skin at Old Trafford against Brighton and are now getting another hosing here today. Limp biscuits all round.”
Got to know how long to dunk for in these situations.
18 mins: The game is going again after that unfortunate break. It has done nothing to subdue the crowd who are jeering and booing accordingly. Leeds are looking lively in attack, quickly countering and turning the Man United defence, something they do not appreciate.
16 mins: Koch gets to his feet after being bandaged up, although more layers are added once he’s vertical. On the upside, Koch gets a nice clean shirt ... and shorts, which shows how much blood there was.
14 mins: Koch is down getting seen to by the medics. McTominay comes over to apologise and check on his opponent’s welfare, which is the least he can do after catching Koch late and by surprise.
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12 mins: Koch gets absolutely smashed by McTominay and it immediately creates a wound and a lot of blood. That will need stitches.
“Like the sound of your cookies, but which of the players on t’park today represents a hazelnut & double choc chip?” asks Shane O’Leary.
Hazelnut is Maguire. Choc chip is ... ermmm ... the sweet and smooth Dan James.
10 mins: Harrison is fouled by McTominay on the edge of the Leeds box, leading to plenty of ire aimed at the Scotland midfielder.
Pogba has Man United’s first shot as Forshaw bounces off him, allowing the Frenchman to drive into space from where he thwacks a low shot at goal but his compatriot Meslier grabs hold of the slippy ball at the second attempt.
Weather update: it is still hammering it down.
8 mins: Fernandes is on the deck receiving treatment after being the victim of a robust but fair challenge. He eventually gets up and walks to the sidelines and should be OK to carry on.
6 mins: The first chance of the match comes after a Wan-Bissaka clearance reaches a white shirt and Leeds counter. The ball is chipped over the top for Harrison who enters the space vacated by Wan-Bissaka, who is on the ground after being fouled but referee Tierney waves it away, luckily for the visitors the shot from Harrison goes just wide. Man United players go to bemoan Tierney who arrogantly waves them away despite the fact he’s made an incorrect decision
4 mins: Things are pretty lively in the stands and frantic on the pitch. Whenever it looks like Leeds are about to attack, the noise goes up a few extra decibels.
2 mins: Every touch from a red shirt is being jeered, while Leeds are being cheered when in possession. I expect plenty of this.
Kick-off!
Peep! Peep! Peep! Here we go!
Everyone in the studio is expecting a fiery encounter, aided by the fact it is absolutely teeming it down in Leeds. The packed stands are creating a great atmosphere. Man United are greeted by boos, naturally.
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Just eating a double choc chip and hazelnut cookie. I made a batch yesterday, so feel very pleased with myself.
Justin Kavanagh emails: “I hope, for Ragnick’s sake, that Varane is carrying a knock, because anyone who chooses Lindelof over the Frenchman for any other reason has lost the plot. It’s beginning to sound like a bad joke: An Englishman, a Portugueezer, and a Frenchman walk into a dressing room.…”
Some big calls in defence.
This is what we need.
Leeds fans cheering every missed #MUFC shot in the warm up. Atmosphere building at Elland Road
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) February 20, 2022
Dean Kinsella emails: “Afternoon everyone. Also surprised to see Dalot dropped. I feel for AWB though. In another time his tackling ability would make him stand out as a defender but it seems you also have to a great attacker as a fullback now - especially after the example set at LFC. I sometimes wonder whether he might be best re-educated to be a centre back or a holding midfielder.”
Lingard has not started in the Premier League for Manchester United for two years. Ruddy hell.
Rangnick: “He [Lingard] looked sharp in training, he has a lot of experience.”
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“Your being too young to have experienced Cantona has made me feel old!” sorry, Ian Copestake, “But not as old as Cantona now looks. I can’t see him flying over any more advertising hoardings to sort out WORD RETRACTED not very nice people.”
It is nice and rainy in Leeds.
Karen Carney on United.
Wan-Bissaka in for Dalot is an interesting one, as I think the former has been awful this season, while Dalot has impressed. A big call.
Quite possibly ...
@Will_Unwin Hi Will, I'm not sure if it's so much Bielsa "making a point" of leaving Rapinha out, the last few games against the "B*g 6" we've ceded the midfield, so Forshaw should hopefully nullify the threat, I think most Loiners would take a 0-0 today ala last season. #mot
— Mick Reynolds (@ElectricMiknik) February 20, 2022
Sky currently showing a package about Eric Cantona’s arrival at Leeds (and I assumed his move to Manchester United). He is one of those players where I was a bit too young to appreciate. I think I would have enjoyed his style, on and off the pitch.
Liew on Bielsa.
Lovely day for it.
⛈ Proper weather for a proper game! pic.twitter.com/LOVYGqLHCy
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 20, 2022
Rangnick: the solution.
Raphinha only makes the bench for Leeds. He was taken off at half-time against Everton and Bielsa has made a point by leaving him out today.
Some vaguely interesting team news as Lingard starts for Manchester United. I make that his first league start of the season but I could be very wrong and too lazy to find out if I am right. Varane only makes the bench which is a bit of a surprise but Rangnick will have his reasons.
Starting lineups
Leeds: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Llorente, Struijk, Dallas, Forshaw, Klich, James, Harrison, Rodrigo.
Subs: Klaesson, Firpo, Raphinha, Roberts, Bate, Gelhardt, Cresswell, Shackleton, Kenneh.
Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Fernandes, Pogba, Lingard, Sancho, Ronaldo.
Subs: Henderson, Mata, Rashford, Fred, Varane, Dalot, Telles, Matic, Elanga.
Good afternoon
Two of the great rivals of English football meet once again in front of a packed out at Elland Road. Two teams in positions lower than their players and fans desire, meaning both will be want to put on a show this afternoon in order to earn a much-needed boost.
Leeds are a helter-skelter team, putting it all the line to get what they can out of any game. Manchester United are a more ponderous outfit at the moment, unable to kill off games they should be winning with ease and looking susceptible at the back.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side sit five points above the relegation zone and will be looking over their shoulder, especially after the wins for Watford and Burnley on Saturday, in addition to Newcastle’s much-improved form since their takeover. They have not beaten Manchester United in the Premier League since 2002, something they will want to put right today.
Manchester United’s underwhelming defence welcomes back Raphael Varane. The Frenchman is by far the club’s best centre-back and his absence is felt whenever he is not in the team. If he helps United to a cleansheet today, it will be the first time in 49 matches they have kept back to back cleansheets, a sign of their struggles.
Here’s to a cracker!
Kick-off 2pm GMT.
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