The Manchester United manager, Ralf Rangnick, condemned the unsavoury scenes which led to Anthony Elanga being struck by a coin from the Leeds United stand during a fiery contest at Elland Road on Sunday, with the hosts investigating the incident.
Elanga was hit by an object from the crowd in the aftermath of Fred’s goal which made it 3-2 in the visitors’ favour. The 19-year-old was unhurt and recovered to score United’s fourth in stoppage time and secure a vital three points on an afternoon when Rangnick’s side had earlier squandered a 2-0 half-time lead thanks to two second-half goals in two minutes from Rodrigo and Raphinha.
“As far as I know there is some investigation going on from Leeds United,” Rangnick said afterwards. “In the end, Anthony looked well and he was happy about scoring. Obviously things like that should not happen.”
The Press Association reported after the game that the Football Association are also going to investigate the incident, one that cast a shadow over a fiercely contested encounter, with no shortage of talking points. Rangnick praised his side for the maturity they showed in responding to being pulled back level and eventually going on to win the game. “It was a very intense game and if you were a neutral, you could say it was entertaining,” he said. “There were only few moments when nothing happened.
“At half-time we were fully aware they’d have a go at us and play with more aggression. Rodrigo didn’t intend to play the ball where he did but within two minutes, it’s 2-2. We showed maturity and showed unity on the pitch and in the end we deserved to win.”
The victory moves United four points clear of fifth-placed West Ham after the Hammers’ draw with Newcastle on Saturday, while Leeds remain firmly entrenched in the relegation battle. They remain five points clear of the bottom three but are now only the second side to concede 50 Premier League goals this season.
They lost Robin Koch to a head injury in the first half, but only after the game had already been stopped because of an earlier collision which left Koch bloodied and needing treatment. When he was replaced, Leeds did not use a concussion substitute but Marcelo Bielsa appeared to suggest his withdrawal was not because of concussion concerns.
“He had a cut in his head and what excludes him is the cut. If the cut is the most significant thing than the knock he received, I acted in accordance to that.”
