Manchester United came from two goals down to rescue a point against managerless Leeds at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
United came into the match aiming for a 14th successive home win in all competitions, but could not find the killer blow in the first of two quickfire games against Leeds. They remain 16 matches unbeaten at home, yet were left pondering what could have been had they taken their chances.
Leeds raced into the lead within 56 seconds as the high-tempo pressing style caught United in possession and allowed Willy Gnonto to smash it at the near post. United tried to hit back, but Alejandro Garnacho wasted two great chances, while Marcel Sabitzer's three efforts did not find the back of the net.
They were made to pay almost straight after the half-time break when Crysencio Summerville's low cross took a wicked deflection off Raphael Varane to beat David de Gea at the near post and make it 2-0. Erik ten Hag made a double substitution, taking off the ineffectual Wout Weghorst and Garnacho for Jadon Sancho and Facundo Pellistri and was rewarded quickly.
Diogo Dalot crossed for Marcus Rashford, who had taken Weghorst's place in the centre of the box, and rose highest to head into the bottom corner and continue his remarkable hot streak in front of goal. Eight minutes later and it was 2-2, with Sancho controlling a loose ball before curling past Illan Meslier into the bottom corner to score his first goal since September 15.
Meslier tipped over Varane's header as Leeds held on for a valuable point in their battle against relegation.
Here are the talking points from an entertaining game at Old Trafford.
1. New manager bounce
Michael Skubala is not a name many fans would have been familiar with before this match, but the Leeds caretaker might be making a name for himself now.
The former England futsal coach was in the dugout for Leeds after the sacking of Jesse Marsch and enjoyed one of the fastest new manager bounces in history when Gnonto put Leeds 1-0 up inside the opening minute.
The goal was textbook Leeds, from the good times of Marsch and Marcelo Bielsa. The counter-press sprung into action, with Tyler Adams snapping into a challenge with Bruno Fernandes to allow Gnonto the chance to exchange a one-two with Patrick Bamford and fire in.
There was a similar sense of urgency at the beginning of the second half, with Garnacho dispossessed by Robin Koch and the ball moved on to Crysensio Summerville, whose cross was deflected in by Varane.
Under Marsch, Leeds were without a win in seven Premier League games. One game later and they were close to getting their first win at Old Trafford in Premier League history. They have something to build upon when they welcome the same opponents to Elland Road on Sunday.
2. Casemiro absence weighs heavy
This was a big game for Marcel Sabitzer, who was making his full United debut after playing nine minutes off the bench in the win over Crystal Palace last time out.
He had big boots to fill, with Casemiro beginning his three-match suspension and Christian Eriksen out injured. The Austrian showed what he can bring to the side, firing in three shots in the first half, but he also showed his limitations.
With Casemiro on the pitch, United are a balanced, controlled team. Sabitzer is not a like-for-like replacement for the Brazilian – or Eriksen. He is an energetic, box-to-box player – and those characteristics made for an entertaining, if slightly too open game from Ten Hag’s perspective. Leeds looked hugely threatening on the break, with Sabitzer and Fred playing alongside each other for the first time.
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3. Balance on the wings
United fans may have been surprised to see Rashford line up on the right-hand side of the 4-2-3-1 formation at kick-off and Garnacho given his preferred position on the left wing.
The young winger could easily have scored twice in the first half, putting a presentable opportunity wide from Bruno Fernandes’ cross before going around Meslier only to see his shot headed off the line by Maximilian Wober. If he had been presented with the same chances, it is easy to imagine Rashford netting both.
Ten Hag picked Garnacho to start ahead of Sancho, Anthony Elanga and Pellistri. “He has such an impact [from the bench] to change the game,” he told MUTV before kick-off. “But also, he wants to be a starter, he wants to play every minute and this is a good opportunity.” He didn’t really take it, with Ten Hag bringing on Sancho and Pellistri in the 59th minute.
4. Rashford takes responsibility
Rashford came into this match on a ludicrous hot streak, having failed to score in just three of his appearances since returning from the World Cup.
The 25-year-old striker is in the form of his life and now has 12 goals in his last 14 games for United in all competitions. Having been isolated in his least favoured position on the right wing for the entire first half, Rashford might have been forgiven for feeling sorry for himself.
But it took him just three minutes to score once he was moved to centre-forward in the wake of Ten Hag’s double substitution. Weghorst had been anonymous in his 59 minutes on the pitch – and he was shown up by Rashford, who leapt above the previously solid Leeds defence to plant a perfect header into the bottom corner.
5. Mixed feelings for Ten Hag
It was mixed feelings for Ten Hag at full-time as he was left to reflect on the good and the bad from his side.
On the one hand, they had gone 2-0 down against a team who had gone seven Premier League games without a win. They had been passive in the opening stages of both halves and had been punished.
But on the other, they had come back from a two-goal deficit, despite being hindered by injuries. Rashford had continued his scoring streak and Sancho had made a difference off the bench.
Ten Hag deserves credit for his double substitution in the 59th minute, because it changed the game. Getting Rashford central and brining on a fit-again Sancho made all the difference. But he will be frustrated that they couldn't find a third goal to go level on points with Manchester City in second.
