Manchester United’s late double strike sinks Leeds

Manchester United scored two late goals in the space of five minutes as they beat managerless Leeds United to temporarily move into second in the Premier League standings.

Leeds were the better of the two sides of the day but couldn’t tuck away several opportunities as the Red Devils dug deep and left it late.

Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho scored one each to pile pressure on Elland Road side who are now just a point above safety.

Leeds spurn early chances

Leeds should have taken the lead early in the game but Crysencio Summervile blasted his shot well over the bar after Patrick Bamford’s effort was initially saved by David De Gea.

Summerville was guilty yet again just on the stroke of halftime when De Gea once again saved his initial shot but the rebound fell to the Leeds winger who couldn’t hit the target.

Manchester United should have gone into halftime with a 1-0 lead but Illan Meslier denied Bruno Fernandes a one-on-one opportunity after the Portuguese pounced on a mistake by Leeds defender Maximilian Wober.

Leeds came out with all cylinders firing in the second half. Jack Harrison grabbed on to a Harry Maguire mistake but the 26-year-old Englishman dragged his shot way off goal.

Minutes later Luke Ayling’s half-volley was deflected on its way out. Diego Dalot hit the crossbar from the edge of the box just after the hour mark but it was all Leeds as United failed to gather any momentum in the middle of the park.

Late goals for Manchester United

Against the run of play, Rashford gave United the lead in the 80^th minute following Luke Shaw’s brilliant cross from the left after a delightful switch of play from January signing Marcel Sabitzer. It was Rahsford’s 21^st goal of the season.

Garnacho then made it 2-0 in the 85^th minute with a lung-bursting run from the inside left channel after being neatly picked up by Wout Weghorst.

Rashford and Weghorst were denied a goal each due to offside in the dying minutes of the game that would have given United an even bigger victory.

The results sees Eric ten Hag’s side move within 5 points of league leaders Arsenal and in control of a Champions League berth. Maguire speaking on the victory said, “We know, coming to Elland Road, it’s going to be a tough one. Credit to the lads that we stuck with it, showed spirit, got a clean sheet… We knew today was about revenge and we got it.”

Photo credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images