Manchester United came from 2-0 down to draw with Leeds at Old Trafford. Wilfried Gnonto’s early strike put Leeds ahead before a Raphael Varane own goal, but Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho replied. The result sees United miss out on the chance to move level with second-placed Manchester City. They are two points their city rivals and seven behind leaders Arsenal having played two games more.
Jadon Sancho marked his first Premier League appearance since October with the equaliser as Manchester United fought back from two goals down to salvage a draw against managerless Leeds at Old Trafford, Eurosport reports.
Noticeably, Erik Ten Hag’s side were staring at defeat when Raphael Varane’s own goal doubled Leeds’ advantage three minutes after the restart with Wilfried Gnonto giving the visitors the opener after just 55 seconds.
Marcus Rashford halved the deficit with his 20th goal of the season and Sancho rescued a point for the Red Devils.
Man Utd were amazed when the in-form Gnonto gave the visitors a shock lead with his fourth goal in seven games, lashing the ball into the bottom corner after Bruno Fernandes was robbed of possession.
The loss of Luis Sinisterra and Pascal Struijk to injury in the first half failed to dampen Leeds’ spirit as they continued to play with intensity and defended resiliently, with Maximilian Wober heading Alejandro Garnacho’s goal-bound effort off the line.
Loan signing Marcel Sabitzer, making his first start since joining United on Deadline Day, forced a fine save from Illan Meslier as the hosts raised the stakes in search of an equaliser.
But they were left to lick their wounds after conceding just three minutes after the restart when Varane turned Crysencio Summerville’s cross into his own net, as Leeds suddenly looked on course for their first win at Old Trafford since 1981.
A brilliant header by Rashford from Diogo Dalot’s cross stimulated the home side before Brenden Aaronson almost restored Leeds two-goal advantage with a free-kick that rattled the post.
Substitute Sancho then levelled the scores with a tame shot that Meslier ought to have saved – it was his first goal since September and only his third this term.
With the momentum fully behind them, Man Utd pushed for a winner as Varane’s header was kept out by Meslier, but they couldn’t get over the line as their run of 13 straight home wins was brought to an end.
The result means Manchester United remain in third, seven points behind leaders Arsenal having played two games more. Leeds climb a place into 16th but are just a point above the drop zone.
Manchester United’s winning streak at Old Trafford comes to an end in disappointing manner, even if they did have to show spirit to secure a point.
Ten Hag’s charges had another opportunity to drag themselves into the title race, but without Casemiro and Christian Eriksen they lacked the intensity and drive to overcome a Leeds side determined not to feel sorry for themselves following the departure of manager Jesse Marsch.
The Red Devils gave themselves a mountain to climb following some slack defending and required a change in personnel and tactics 15 minutes into the second half in order to begin their fightback. And it was fitting that Sancho – the man entrusted by Ten Hag to reinvigorate his side despite such a lengthy layoff – grabbed the all-important equaliser. But it wasn’t enough.
United have now dropped points in three of their last four games and can surely be counted out of the contention to win the Premier League once and for all.
Leeds, on the other hand, looked like a side reborn under caretaker manager Michael Skubala despite having just a few days to train under their new man.
Player of the match, Leed’s Wilfred Gnonto led the visitors’ attack with purpose and energy, setting the tempo of the match with a fine opener.
On key statistics, Marcus Rashford is the first Manchester United player to score in six consecutive appearances at Old Trafford in the Premier League since Wayne Rooney in April 2012.
Wilfried Gnonto’s goal after 55 seconds is the second-earliest goal scored against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League, after Edin Dzeko’s strike in March 2014 for Manchester City (43 seconds).
