Leeds United had not won at Manchester United in the English top flight since 1981. On Monday evening, the Peacocks did it again: Despite being outnumbered for a long time, Leeds’ 2-1 win made things tense once more.
Next up for the Red Devils is a clash with direct rivals Chelsea, who are currently in sixth place, on Saturday (9pm). Leeds face bottom-placed Wolverhampton five hours earlier.
ManUnited had the chance to take a big step towards the Champions League on Monday evening. Coach Michael Carrick made four changes after the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth. Maguire was missing through suspension, with Lisandro Martinez starting in central defense in his place. Mainoo was missing from the squad with an injury and was replaced by Ugarte in the six. Mazraoui also started at right-back for Diogo Dalot and Sesko in place of Mbeumo.
On the other side, Daniel Farke and Leeds United had important points at stake in the fight against relegation – before the game, they were three points clear of Tottenham in the first relegation spot. The German coach made four changes from the 4-2 penalty shoot-out win over West Ham United in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Stach and Rodon were missing from the squad. Lucas Perri and Nmecha were also dropped to the bench. Darlow, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson and Gudmundsson started in their place.
The early lead for Leeds
The game began with the visitors surprisingly brisk: Leeds had their first big chance in the 3rd minute, but Calvert-Lewin was denied by Lammens. Just two minutes later, the Man United goal was opened up: a cross was extended by Yoro to Okafor, who converted with the inside of his boot (5′). After conceding the goal, the home team needed a few minutes to get their bearings, but then gradually got into the game better. Only real chances failed to materialize because the Red Devils did not finish off their attacks well.
Leeds were always dangerous from crosses and after winning the ball high up the pitch. This is how the 2:0 came about: Manchester first lost the ball in the build-up and then failed to clear it properly, allowing Okafor to score a brace with a deflected volley (29′). After 45 minutes, the scoreline was fine and it almost went even higher, but Lisandro Martinez saved from Ao Tanka on the line in the greatest of emergencies (45′). So it remained 2:0 at the break.
Lisandro Martinez pulls out Calvert-Lewin’s hair tie
The second half began with a great chance for Man United, but Sesko was denied by a save from Darlow and the subsequent save from Justin (48′). The pace with which the home team came out of the break was abruptly interrupted, however, when Lisandro Martinez was shown the red card for pulling the scrunchie out of Calvert-Lewin’s hair. After the intervention of the VAR, referee Tierney therefore decided to send him off (56′).
Leeds then found it quite difficult in superior numbers. Manchester United quickly realized that the two-goal deficit could not be made up even with one man less. Matheus Cunha had the first good chance while short-handed in the 65th minute. Four minutes later, Casemiro headed home a cross from Bruno Fernandes (69′). Leeds then tried to move the game more into the home side’s half. This more active phase also led to a great chance, but Calvert-Lewin missed it carelessly with a header (78′).
Sesko and Casemiro miss chances to equalize
The visitors had to tremble in the closing stages. Man United pressed for the equalizer and almost got their reward: first it was Sesko, who won a header duel and put the ball powerfully towards goal, but Darlow made a strong save. Then Casemiro headed the ball past Darlow from the resulting corner, but Calvert-Lewin cleared with his head on the line (85′). In the end, Leeds held on to their narrow lead and celebrated a hugely important three points in the relegation battle. Manchester United missed the chance to move ten points clear of 6th place.
Next up for the Red Devils is a clash with direct rivals Chelsea, who are currently in sixth place, on Saturday (9pm). Leeds face bottom-placed Wolverhampton five hours earlier.
