Manchester United draw 2-2 with Leeds as Jadon Sancho scores

Manchester United fought back to a 2-2 draw against Leeds United in the Premier League after conceding a goal at the beginning of each half.

Marcel Sabitzer was handed his first Manchester United start as Erik ten Hag brought Alejandro Garnacho and Diogo Dalot back into the side.

The three players who were played were Casemiro, who was suspended for the fixture, Antony, who was carrying a minor muscle injury and Aaron Wan-Bissaka said to be ill.

It was a rough start for United, with Wilfried Gnonto handing Leeds United a goal in the opening minute after pressure was applied to the United back line.

Leeds dominated the opening 10 minutes, having another great chance from a corner palmed away by David de Gea. A lot of United’s play was flowing through Alejandro Garnacho, but not to much avail.

Sabitzer had United’s first chance of the game, hitting a volley over the bar from around 10 yards out. Garnacho was then supplied with an almost perfect chance to level the score, however he failed to find the target.

Just ahead of the 30 minute mark, it was Garnacho who once again had the chance to put United level, however after he rounded the keeper, his shot was cleared off the line. It was starting to feel slightly desperate.

As the first half went on, United dominated play but failed to create any more clear chances. Leeds had their goal and were making United work for any sort of reply; and rightfully so.

One down side for Leeds in the first half was the losses of midfielder Luis Sinisterra and left-back Pascal Struijk, with the former off due to injury and the latter after being struck in the face by a fizzing Marcus Rashford shot from distance.

Manchester United felt on top, but Leeds United felt in control.

Just like the first half, Leeds once again scored in the opening minutes of the half. It was 2-0 to the away side, with United looking lost, broken, and nervous… It was reminiscent of the poor performances the Old Trafford faithful saw many times last season.

Both goals had the same timeline – Leeds grab it early on in the half, then sit back and let United attempt (and fail) to pressure their area before continuously hitting Old Trafford on the counter.

Erik ten Hag’s first move came in the 59th mintute, with Jadon Sancho and Facundo Pellistri replacing Wout Weghorst and Garnacho – Rashford was now up front, with Pellistri on the right and Sancho on the left.

Finally, after hammering away at the Leeds defence, it was Marcus Rashford who once again offered United a lifeline. Some brilliant work from Pellistri to keep the ball set up a perfect crossing opportunity for Diogo Dalot, who placed the ball perfectly for Rashford to nod the ball in with a lovely jump and header.

Rashford’s goal injected much-needed life into Old Trafford, and it was Jadon Sancho who fed on this more than anyone else, slotting in an equaliser with 20 minutes left to play. It was game on.

United really turned on the screws after Sancho’s goal, with Varane forcing a stunning save from Meslier to keep the scores level as the clocked turn to 78 minutes.

The final 20 minutes were enthralling. With neither side settling for a point, five added minutes had United hammering Leeds United as much as they humanly could… but to no avail, as the fixture ended in a 2-2 draw.