Substitute Jadon Sancho scored on his Premier League return after almost 4 months out as Manchester United got here from behind to attract 2-2 with managerless Leeds in a thriller at Outdated Trafford.

Sancho, who got here on with United 2-0 down, equalised (70) after linking up with Luke Shaw down the left having seen Marcus Rashford head the hosts stage (62) together with his twentieth objective in all competitions this season.

Leeds, who sacked head coach Jesse Marsch on Monday, opened the scoring after simply 55 seconds by Wilfried Gnonto’s very good low drilled effort from the sting of the world and struck early within the second as Raphael Varane turned in substitute Crysencio Summerville’s low cross (48).

United miss the possibility to go stage on factors with second-placed Metropolis, whereas Leeds push themselves a degree away from the relegation zone however at the moment are winless in eight league video games. The groups play once more on Sunday at Elland Street, dwell on Sky Sports activities.

Man Utd and Leeds serve up thriller at Outdated Trafford

Leeds took full benefit of the suspended Casemiro’s absence inside a minute as Gnonto uncovered a gap in United’s midfield by enjoying a one-two with Patrick Bamford earlier than firing into the underside nook from the sting of the field to offer the guests the dream begin.

United seemed misplaced after going behind and couldn’t address Leeds’ blistering depth however defensive interventions from Lisandro Martinez stored the deficit to 1. Alejandro Garnacho twice got here near levelling, with Leeds defender Max Wober clearing one of many 18-year-old’s strikes off the road.

Marcel Sabitzer, who took time to settle into the sport on his full United debut, had a couple of makes an attempt at marking the event with a objective from vary however was denied by Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier after firing narrowly vast because the hosts grew into the competition and calmed the tempo.

Leeds got here out firing within the second half and made United pay as Varane’s personal objective doubled the benefit, however Rashford turned the tide for a sleepy United with a header simply previous the hour, giving Outdated Trafford hope of a comeback.

United had been within the ascendancy though Leeds almost scored one other as Brenden Aaronson’s free-kick snuck by the wall and clipped the bottom of a submit. Up the opposite finish, Bruno Fernandes’ close-range effort was blocked after Rashford’s cross picked him out.

United bought the breakthrough with Sancho and Shaw combining down the left because the returning ahead minimize in to attain his first objective since September – on his first league look since October, when he was given a break from first-team soccer by supervisor Ten Hag having skilled a pointy drop-off in type.

Fred had a long-range strike saved by Meslier as United pushed for a winner with Rashford additionally denied by the French goalkeeper within the closing levels from a set-piece, however Leeds clung on to go away Outdated Trafford with a degree.

Leeds’ masterplan revealed

Leeds had been led by a trio of interim coaches at Outdated Trafford – Michael Skubala, Chris Armas and Paco Gallardo – who solely had one full day to work with the squad following Marsch’s sacking.

Skubala, the interim coach who has assumed media duties in the interim, stated after the sport that that they had simply 20 minutes to work on form of their preparation.

However Leeds’ masterplan appeared to work a deal with for the primary hour of the sport.

And an eagled-eyed digicam operator uncovered simply how they did it, catching a glimpse of their techniques sheet in Skubala’s hand forward of half-time.

On the piece of paper had been 4 bullet factors, the primary of which was illegible. The opposite three, understandably simple provided that lack of training-ground time, learn: ‘Shut center’, ‘Consider’, ‘Be calm’.

Shedding a two-goal benefit could also be robust to take, however maintaining United from scoring a winner with 20 minutes left to go on the clock takes some doing in entrance of a roaring Outdated Trafford.

Leeds caught to the plan and got here away with a degree.

What’s subsequent?

Leeds and Manchester United face one another once more on Sunday at Elland Street, dwell on Sky Sports activities Premier League from 1pm; kick-off 2pm.

Sunday twelfth February 12:30pm


Kick off 2:00pm

United then resume their Europa League marketing campaign with a visit to Barcelona on Thursday February 16 for the primary leg of the play-off tie; kick-off 5.45pm.