Sancho plays role of super-sub to rescue United against valiant Leeds

PREMIER LEAGUE Sancho plays role of super-sub to rescue United against valiant Leeds

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 23:04 - 08.02.2023

Manchester United’s 13-match winning run at Old Trafford came to an end after a pulsating 2-2 draw with Leeds United. The Red Devils fought back from two goals down to rescue a point.

Manchester United needed second-half goals from Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho to snatch a point after Leeds took a surprise two-goal lead at Old Trafford.

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Erik ten Hag’s side were staring at defeat when Wilfried Gnonto gave the visitors a shock lead after just 55 seconds before Raphael Varane’s own goal doubled their advantage three minutes after the restart.

How it happened

The hosts were stunned 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.

Wilfried Gnonto opens the scoring for Leeds
Wilfried Gnonto opens the scoring for Leeds

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 defend 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 upped the ante in search of an equaliser.

United 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.

Raphael Varane scored an own goal to give Leeds a two-goal advantage

A brilliant header by Rashford from Diogo Dalot’s cross reinvigorated 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.

Talking point - United feel the effects of injuries and suspension

The absences of Christian Eriksen through injury and Casemiro through suspension made this a more difficult fixture than it probably should have been. 

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.

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