Sancho helps Red Devils fight back to draw against Leeds

Manchester United fought back against managerless rivals Leeds United in an entertaining encounter at Old Trafford.

Action: Sean Dyche proved once again what a new manager bounce can do when Everton defeated Arsenal and Leeds United with a trio of interim managers had the best possible start at Old Trafford.

The visitors went at their opponents right from the get-go and won the ball back high up the pitch leading to a fine one-two between Willy Gnonto and Patrick Bamford, with the Italian international firing a fine shot low past David de Gea from the edge of the area.

Despite that electric start, Leeds did suffer two setbacks, first Luis Sinisterra was forced with a hamstring injury after eight minutes before Pascal Struijk was sidelined with a head injury.

Manchester United’s best shot of the first half came when Bruno Fernandes played in a fine ball for Alejandro Garnacho. The Argentinian went around the on-rushing Illan Meslier but Max Wöber did well to clear off his line.

The second half started almost as quickly for Leeds. This time the Whites had to wait three minutes before doubling their advantage when substitute Crys Summerville’s low ball back across goal was inadvertently diverted into the net by Raphaël Varane.

Erik ten Hag’s side had to wait until just over an hour before getting back into the game. With 62 minutes gone Diogo Dalot’s cross was headed in by the in-form Marcus Rashford.

Leeds almost restored their advantage shortly after when Brenden Aaronson’s well-struck free-kick bounced off the outside of David de Gea’s right post.

The equaliser came in the 70th minute as Manchester United's pressure mounted. Luke Shaw and Jadon Sancho linked up well down the left with Shaw’s ball falling kindly into the path of Sancho to score his first goal since his return. Meslier did get a touch to it but saw the shot so late there was little he could do to divert it away from goal.

In perhaps the last big chance of a frantic game, Varane almost managed to redeem his own goal with one in the correct net. But the defender’s header was stopped by the Leeds goalkeeper – Varane’s fellow Frenchman producing a fine save.

Neither side looked ready to settle for a point but in the end, there was nothing to separate the two with Leeds moving up to 16th in the table while Manchester United missed the chance to draw level with their city rivals.

The game between the two sides at Elland Road on Sunday promises to be another blockbuster clash.

Man of the Match: Despite going up against Garnacho, Rashford, and later Sancho, Luke Ayling put in a fine defence display. It wasn’t until much later in the game when the defender understandably looked like he was tiring.

xG: Manchester United (2.03) 2-2 (0.7) Leeds United

Points shared after an electric second half#MUNLEE pic.twitter.com/Wvm0K0FhJe

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 8, 2023