Manchester United survives the battle of Elland Road
Manchester United relied on the brilliance of Rashford and young Garnacho to overcome Leeds and definitely get back to dreaming of the Premier League title
In the most tense duel of matchweek 22 of the Premier League, Manchester United had a great opportunity to dream of the title again, but they had to face a big battle at Elland Road against Leeds United.
Erik ten Hag made three changes to the starting line-up. Maguire partners Shaw in defense, with Malacia slotting in at left-back. Sancho won his first starting opportunity since returning from injury. Martinez, Varane and Garnacho drop to the bench.
Meanwhile, manager Skubala executed two changes from the starting line-up on Wednesday. Luis Sinisterra and Pascal Struijk had to go off with a hamstring injury and concussion respectively and were replaced by Firpo and Summerville.
Leeds had more chances in a tense first half
Unfortunately, the first half of Leeds and Manchester United was far from Premier League standards of excellence with an unfortunate spectacle of various fouls and inappropriate fan behavior with ridiculous provocations.
Much of the action took place in midfield with the Red Devils controlling more of the possession, but the first real scoring chance came from Leeds with ! Ayling plays it out to the left from the free-kick and Wober keeps it in play, volleying a cross in. Bamford assisted and De Gea saved the goal.
The action resumed just before the break. watches it all the way onto his boot before firing a shot across goal, but De Gea made another difficult save. Finally, Wober is slow to pick out a pass and Fernandes bursts forward to cut it out before driving into the box, but goalkeeper Meslier avoided the shot low.
Manchester United had more intensity in the final stretch and Rashford decided again
Fortunately, the second half saw a considerable increase in the technical level, with Leeds United scaring again. They dispossess Manchester United high upfield, and Adams slides in Summerville on the edge of the box, but De Gea pushes it wide.
Manchester United started to yield better only in the final stretch by pressing Leeds in their own field. Luke Shaw and Fred had great opportunities, but the one who took advantage to open the scoring was Marcus Rashford.
In a brilliant switch out to Shaw on the left by Sabitzer and he holds off Summerville long enough to curl a cross in, Rashford left Wober and Firpo behind and headed firmly into the far side of the net.
Taking advantage of the spaces provided, Manchester United sought a second goal in the 85th minute and sealed the victory. Weghorst stole the ball from Gnoto and sent Garnacho on his way. The youngster went around Koch to get in front of the defender and then fires his shot across goal from the left of the box to pick out the far bottom corner.
The performance didn’t really maintain the standard of recent matches, but the Red Devils survived the hostile environment against Leeds United, and this time, just the win was enough to make the fans happy.