While there was no rain, vitriol poured down. This was an entry in the Leeds United-Manchester United enmity that was destined to be remembered for the bilious chanting until the 80th minute.
Marcus Rashford is raining goals. For the third successive match, he moved from wingman to frontman and that is where his 21st United goal of the campaign came from. Rashford is one shy of his season-best tally of 2019-20.
For Erik ten Hag, this was another tactical triumph. Beyond Rashford's impact, Alejandro Garnacho emerged to kill the contest with his first goal since the season was paused in November and on the back of a public pep talk.
Read more: United player ratings as Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw good vs Leeds
Ten Hag insisted Garnacho "had to score" with one of his chances in the midweek match. Garnacho has been prolific on Instagram, as many teenagers are. His best response was on the pitch, a deceptive side-footer that kissed the upright.
His manager clenched his fists and was beaming. Ten Hag appeared tempted to join the throng of United players who celebrated with the away-dayers in the John Charles Stand.
"Leeds are falling apart again," crowed the United fans. One Leeds fan abused a United security member, who smiled mischievously. Some Leeds supporters started to turn on each other. Job done.
On what was an emotionally draining afternoon, whenever United took the emotion out of it Leeds were helpless. Bruno Fernandes had two presentable opportunities in the first-half, Diogo Dalot struck the crossbar and United had two goals chalked off for offside when 2-0 up. And yet Leeds were 10 minutes from holding United to another draw.
United did not entirely learn their lesson from the reverse fixture on Wednesday night. Leeds, naturally fired up, caught United cold at the start of both halves and Jack Harrison prodded wide in the same minute Raphael Varane deflected the ball into his own net at Old Trafford.
For much of the afternoon, the news emanated from the terraces. As the United great Bryan Robson, attired in a club suit, waited patiently to take his seat with the rest of the club dignitaries, two Leeds fans recognised him and requested a selfie.
It was not as diplomatic in the corner of the Norman Hunter Stand adjacent to the away supporters. Some Leeds fans mimicked an airplane and there was a brief 'Munich' chant. That was all before kick-off.
With red and white shirts scattered across the pitch, the Munich chanting became louder, accompanied by "Always look on the runway for ice". Some United fans stooped to the low of returning fire by citing the two Leeds fans killed in Istanbul. Songs about Jimmy Savile and Mason Greenwood were aired. The match ended to both sets of supporters trading insults about two tragedies.
The United analysts and goalkeeping coaches required a security escort - the first time they have ever had one. Darren Fletcher, usually among them, was conspicuous by his absence - too conspicuous for Leeds fans, he did not run the gauntlet. Sir Alex Ferguson, at almost every away fixture, was unaccounted for.
David de Gea has drawn applause from the Kop End before. Different hand signals greeted him at the Hunter and Don Revie Stands. The fixture must have set the record for the most frequent use of the word 'scum'.
"You're just soft southern b------s," the Leeds fans bayed. One Leeds fan was berated for returning the ball to United with such alacrity when those around him would have booted it towards Headingley.
This was not an atmosphere for shrinking violets and Rashford was appalled by a half-hearted challenge by Fred. With Varane and Lisandro Martinez rested and Casemiro and Christian Eriksen unavailable, United were disjointed with their stop-gaps in place.
Too many players were startled by the tribalism against a club that released a DVD the last time they achieved a league victory against United in September 2002. The doubt was reflected by Ten Hag's game management. United shape-shifted into a 4-2-4 and Wout Weghorst had a stint as the No.10. Luke Shaw's return to the left flank was key to the breakthrough and Weghorst was positioned perfectly to play in Garnacho.
For much of the afternoon, Ten Hag was visibly irked. He summoned Fred for a conflab inside five minutes and Tyrell Malacia moved into midfield to form an axis with Marcel Sabitzer whenever United had the ball, allowing Fred to float further forward. The passing was too dilatory. United have Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong to contend with on Thursday.
Diogo Dalot did not start at Elland Road a year ago and it showed with his early carelessness to allow a cross in. Unlike Wilfried Gnonto, Crysencio Sommerville failed to capitalise on United's dormant defending.
Ten Hag has rarely looked so vexed during his tenure in Manchester. He admonished Sabitzer and Fred for dropping too deep and during one stoppage held court with both midfielders, Dalot and Jadon Sancho. Shaw was relocated and Malacia recalled in anticipation of their starting roles for the away leg in Barcelona that Lisandro Martinez is suspended for, yet United missed Martinez's line-breaking passes until he was introduced.
Sancho lasted an hour on what was a respectable return to the XI. He switched wings with Rashford midway through the first half even though the former had found the gap for Fernandes to shoot wastefully the first time. Fernandes appeared uncharacteristically uncomfortable bearing down on Illan Meslier a second time as half-time loomed and shot too close to the Frenchman, who celebrated his instinctive save.
The new additions did not cover themselves in glory. Ten Hag lamented Sabitzer's careless crossfield pass and could be seen shaking his head at Weghorst's incongruousness. The Dutchman was again out of kilter with the rest of his teammates and the tidy interplay that salvaged his first few appearances was lacking. He was one of the forwards denied by the linesman's flag.
Yorkshire-born, Sheffield United bred and captain of United, Harry Maguire appeared to relish only his third Premier League start since the seasonal nadir of Brentford six months ago, smiling at the abuse he copped off some of his brethren across the Pennines. That smile might have been wiped off his face had Jack Harrison not dawdled after pick-pocketing the centre half.
Smiles were upon the faces of those from Manchester at full-time.
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