As Leeds United and Manchester United walked out at Elland Road into a cacophonous cauldron of noise and driving rain, the prospect of a tame, measured match always seemed unlikely – and rightly so.
Leeds came flying out of the traps early on but it was Manchester United who bossed the rest of the half, enjoying the gaps left by Leeds’ roaming midfield and the frailties of their vulnerable defence.
Goals from Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes, both of which saw Leeds’ vulnerable defence exploited, seemed to have the hosts and their vocal supporters cowed by half-time.
But Marcelo Bielsa’s men roared into life in the second half, scoring twice in two minutes as Man United chucked away yet another lead.
Ralf Rangnick’s side were far from down and out, however, and restored their lead through substitute Fred in the 70th minute.
Fellow sub Anthony Elanga added a second late on as United sealed a crucial three points in their pursuit of a fourth-placed finish.
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Ilian Meslier: Struggled with distribution at times in the conditions. Stranded in no man’s land for Maguire’s opener, beaten too easily by Fred at the near post and megged by Elanga for the fourth. 3
Luke Ayling: Brought the ball out of defence well and key in transitioning defence to attack, but nonetheless part of a shaky defence that conceded four. 5
Diego Llorente: Poor in the first half, being held off by Maguire for the opener and picking up no one as Man Utd countered and scored their second. Subbed at half-time. 4
Pascal Struijk: He and Ayling were the strongest of Leeds’ defenders, with Struijk putting in a number of good blocks and tackles, but he was very poor for Elanga’s goal. 5
Stuart Dallas: Versatility came into use after Koch’s substitution but had limited impact on the game as Man United exposed gaps in Leeds’ midfield time and time again. 5
Robin Koch: Bodied by Scott McTominay early in the first-half, Koch did well to stay in the game as much as he did before being substituted on 31 minutes. 6
Daniel James: Had a quiet first-half but delivered a perfect ball across the ground for Raphinha’s equaliser. 7
Adam Forshaw: Got about the pitch well but gaps left in Leeds’ midfield were exploited by Man Utd in transition throughout the game. 5
Mateusz Klich: Leeds’ most important creative presence was vital whenever they got forward, linking play and playing key balls. 7
Jack Harrison: Made a limited impact in the first half, struggling against Aaron Wan-Bissaka before being subbed off at half-time. 5
Rodrigo: Had a quiet first half and was fortunate to score with his deflected delivery at the start of the second half, but a goal is a contribution that must be noted. 7
Junior Firpo (sub, 31′): Failed to track back for United’s second but improved as the game went on. Created a nice chance for Klich to fire on goal in the 74th minute. 6
Raphinha (sub, 45′): Perfect positioning saw him make an instant impact for Leeds’ equaliser. 8
Joe Gelhardt (sub, 45′): Did well as Leeds threatened more going forward in the second half. 6
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David De Gea: Saved well from Adam Forshaw in the first half but should have done better for Leeds’ opener and conceded twice. Did well as Man Utd looked to close out the game though. 6
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: Got forward fairly well but looked vulnerable in defence, being beaten too easily by Daniel James for Leeds’ equaliser. 5
Victor Lindelof: Key to second goal by bringing ball out of defence and feeding Sancho, but still part of a defence that conceded twice. 6
Harry Maguire: Clinical header opened United’s lead and played pivotal organising role as visitors saw out victory. 8
Luke Shaw: Was out-foxed by Raphinha’s deft positioning for Leeds’ equaliser, but assisted Maguire’s goal and got up and down the pitch well. 7
Scott McTominay: Lucky to not be carded for bodying Robin Koch in the first half, McTominay spread the ball well but had limited direct impact on the game. 6
Paul Pogba: The visitors’ key midfield presence. Bossed the opposing Leeds midfielders but subbed off mid-way through the second half. 7
Jesse Lingard: Had little to no impact in his first league start for United in over two years, being subbed off in the second half. 4
Bruno Fernandes: Deft positioning saw him double United’s lead in first-half injury time. An important creative presence for Rangnick’s side, assisting Elanga’s 88th minute goal. 8
Jadon Sancho: Two assists for the ex-Borussia Dortmund man represented a fruitful return, with his creativity a key asset whenever the visitors got forward. 8
Cristiano Ronaldo: Should have scored a tap-in midway through the first half and otherwise had a limited impact on a big game that seemed tailor-made for the ageless Portugal international. Subbed off on 85′. 5
Anthony Elanga (sub, 67′): Should have scored on 72 minutes after breaking free but redeemed himself by putting game to bed with United’s fourth. 8
Fred (sub, 67′): An impact sub if ever there was one, Fred’s superb near-post finish restored United’s lead and saw them pick up the three points. 8
Raphael Varane (sub, 85′): Did all that was required as a late sub in seeing out the win. 6
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