Manchester United vs Leeds summary: score, goals, highlights | Premier League

Bruno Fernandes (left) and Jadon Sancho celebrate the Englishman's equaliser for United.

It was Sancho's first league goal for the club since the start of September.

(Photo: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

How it stands at the top of the PL

As for United, they move to within two points of second-placed Manchester City - but Pep Guardiola's men have played one match fewer than their city rivals. Leaders Arsenal, who are seven points ahead of United, now have two games in hand on the 20-time English champions.

Leeds edge clear of drop zone

Leeds' winless run continues - the Whites have now gone eight games without victory in the Premier League - but a draw in Manchester means the managerless Yorkshiremen are now a point clear of Everton in 18th.

United's Old Trafford winning run ends

They may have avoided defeat, but Manchester United's 13-game winning run on home turf is at an end. It's the first time since 16 October that Erik ten Hag's men have failed to win at Old Trafford.

Peeeep peeeep peeeep! 2-2 it ends, after a thoroughly entertaining evening of football.

After Gnonto's first-minute stunner, Varane's own goal early in the second half had Leeds dreaming of a first league win at Old Trafford since 1981. Rashford and Sancho's strikes earned the hosts a point, though - and the Red Devils will have been greatly encouraged by the latter's performance off the bench.

Can United find a last-gasp winner? Sancho slips Fernandes into space to square from the left, but his firmly-hit cross is just too far ahead of Rashford at the back post. United recycle and Malacia then lifts it into the middle, but Meslier grabs hold.

Sancho has looked so, so dangerous. United work it left to the England international, who takes on Ayling and squares towards the penalty spot. Fernandes is waiting to shoot, but his strike is blocked!

Again the shooting chance falls to Fred, but he can't get enough power or direction on his effort. Rashford sought to jink his way into shooting space at the top of the box, but was tackled. The loose ball dropped right to Fred, but he sidefooted it right at Meslier.

Leeds make two more changes. Sam Greenwood and Mateo Joseph are on for the visitors, with Gnonto and McKennie making way.

There'll be five minutes of added time at Old Trafford.

Back come United. Sancho skips past Ayling and barrels forward towards the byline. His cut-back is slightly mishit, but falls straight to Fred at the top of the box - but the Brazilian scuffs his strike straight into a wall of white shirts!

Sancho has looked very good since coming on.

As Leeds play it out from the back, Fernandes nips in before Firpo and wins a free-kick on the right.

Fernandes it is who delivers to the near post - and Rashford is so close to scoring! It's a fine ball into the six-yard box, where Varane is also waiting. Rashford looks to help the ball on first-time into the net, but Meslier gets down quickly to save!

United pin Leeds back for a good couple of minutes, before Shaw whips in a cross from deep on the left. It's right onto Fernandes' head, but he can only glance it past the far post. He looks extremely aggrieved at missing that chance.

United replace Sabitzer and Dalot with Tyrell Malacia and Victor Lindelöf. Both appear to be straight swaps, with both players operating away from their usual positions: Malacia will slot in at right-back, and Lindelöf will play at the base of the midfield.

Fernandes shoots from the edge of the Leeds area, but fires over!

10 minutes to go. What more does this thrilling game have in store for us?

Sabitzer is booked for hauling Gnonto down as he turned and looked to burst forward toward the United box.

That's a fine save from Meslier to deny Varane from putting United ahead! From the right, Fernandes digs out a cross that sails right onto Varane's head. The Frenchman outjumps Ayling and powers an effort on goal, but the keeper palms it over!

Firpo is booked after hauling down Rashford as he burst into space on the right wing. It was McKennie's loose ball that gave the striker the opportunity to run at the Leeds backline.

Rashford follows in Rooney footsteps

Marcus Rashford has become the first Manchester United player to score in six straight league games at Old Trafford since Wayne Rooney 11 years ago.

Right away, United press for a third. Sancho wins a corner on the left, which isn't taken right away as Adams is down hurt. He's hurt his crown jewels, basically.

The corner comes to nought, but United very much have their tails up now. 

That's an excellent intervention by Wöber. Fernandes slips a through ball into Rashford's run through the middle, but the defender slides in with perfect timing to deny the England striker.

A moment later, Rashford and Fernandes' roles are reversed. The former cuts back from the byline for the latter, but the Portuguese can't quite bring it under his spell, and Leeds survive.

Now Ayling shoots over! McKennie slips it right to the defender, who lets fly from 30 yards out, but sends his strike well off target.

This is set up beautifully for the final 20 minutes or so.

Right away, Aaronson almost restores Leeds' two-goal advantage! The visitors win a free-kick on the left-hand corner of the United box, and the young American will take. He whips a curling effort over - or through? - the wall, but with De Gea a spectator, it bounces back off the post!

Leeds respond to that Rashford goal by making a double substitution. Bamford and Harrison are off, and Georginio Rutter and Brenden Aaronson are on.

Goal! Manchester United 1-2 Leeds - Rashford

He cannot stop scoring, and United are back in it. Pellistri plays it right to Dalot, who scoops a cross towards Rashford on the penalty spot. He rises higher than Koch and, though it's not the most powerful of crosses, gets plenty behind his header. It's perfectly placed into the corner, and the deficit is reduced to one!

United make a double change, replacing Garnacho and Weghorst and with Facundo Pellistri and Sancho. Rashford will shift over from the wing to No. 9.

Fernandes swings the free-kick into the Leeds box, but it's headed away.

It looks like Jadon Sacho is going to be brought on for his first United appearance since October.

Really, really did not see this scoreline coming. Who did?

Adams hauls down Fred just inside the Leeds half, and joins McKennie in Simon Hooper's book.

Rashford receives the ball on the left, cuts inside and shoots. Can the in-form striker reduce the arrears? No, no he cannot. He sclaffs an utter trundler well wide of Meslier's near post.

McKennie earns himself a yellow card for standing in the way of Fred as the Brazilian tries to take a free-kick.

United claimed that Koch had handled in the process of winning the ball back, but after a VAR check, the goal was given!

Two more openings for Leeds. First, Summerville shoots from the edge of the area, but has his strike deflected over. From the corner, De Gea makes a bit of a hash of his attempt to come out and punch/claim, and it drops to Bamford. But before he can turn it into the net, red shirts are on top of him.

As in the first half, Leeds start on the front foot. McKennie's neat backheel releases Harrison into space to cross on the left. Cross he does, his low ball is too close to Martínez. The Argentine boots away.

Peeeep! The teams are back out at Old Trafford, and we're up and runnning.

No changes for either side, I don't think.

Crysencio Summerville goes down under Lisandro Martínez's challenge late in the first half, but doesn't win a penalty.

(Photo: Oli SCARFF / AFP) 

Real Madrid book Club World Cup final spot

In the Club World Cup, Real Madrid are heading into Saturday's final. Rodrygo Goes and Sergio Arribas have scored in stoppage time to seal a 4-1 win for the Champions League holders, who wiill face Saudi club Al Hilal.

Join Kieran Quaile for the reaction to tonight's semi-final in Rabat.

(Photo: Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Wilfried Gnonto (second left) fires Leeds ahead in the opening minute at Old Trafford. 

(Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Peeep peeep peeep! That was a lot of fun. Leeds are 45 minutes away from their first league win at Old Trafford in 42 years.

There's a penalty shout for Leeds! Dalot's wayward ball out from the back is straight at Sommerville, who gets his head down and sets off towards the United area. He then tumbles under Martínez's challenge - but a VAR check confirms that the tackle was neither illegal, nor inside the box.

Sabitzer lifts a ball across the top of the Leeds box towards Weghorst, who can't bring it under his spell. He can jab it back to Dalot, though, and the Portuguese shoots. Wöber is in the way, and deflects it behind.

The corner drops to Garnacho at the back of the Leeds area, but he gets his shot all wrong.

United pop it about in front of the Leeds defence, before Garnacho tries to jink his way into shooting space. He loses it, and Fred fouls his man. Leeds can clear.

We'll have eight minutes of time added on at the end of the first half. There have been quite a few stoppages, after all.

After receiving medical attention, Gnonto is back on, to boos from the home fans.

The corner comes to nought, but 30 seconds later, Bamford flicks the ball left to Gnonto, who is in space to shoot on the left-hand side of the penalty box. He slices his strike well off target - but Leeds want a penalty, as they feel Martínez caught Gnonto as he pulled the trigger.

They don't get a spot-kick, and Gnonto seems to have hurt himself in the process of being tackled by Martínez. Don't tell me Leeds will have to make another change!

Adams, Harrison and Gnonto knock it about patiently on the left-hand side, before Gnonto drops a shoulder and heads to the byline. Dalot does well to smother the Italian's attempts to cross, however, and gets it out for a corner.

Things were happening faster than I could type during the first half an hour or so, but the game has moved into a relative lull in the last few minutes.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Al Ahly vs Real Madrid live online: half-time, Valverde goal, scores, stats and updates, FIFA Club World Cup

Over in Morocco, Real Madrid are leading Al Ahly 2-1, with just under 15 minutes to go.

Follow the action live with Kieran.

Pascal Struijk (second left) trudges off the pitch after a ball in the face forced him to be substituted.

(Photo: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Rashford scuttles forward to the right-hand byline, and lifts a cross to Garnacho at the back stick. The young Argentine can't get a a shot away, but the ball falls to Sabitzer in shooting space on the edge of the box. He produces a neat change of feet and sends a left-footed curler towards Meslier's top corner, but the keeper parries!

Shaw clips a left-wing free-kick into the Leeds box, but Ayling heads away.

Harrison then leads the counter, but his pass to Bamford is wayward, and United have the chance to hit back.

This game really isn't very easy to keep up with; United are really knocking very hard on the door now. Varane looks to beat Meslier with a looping header from 10 yards out, but the goalkeeper scrambles back in time to grab hold.

Once more United are so close to levelling, and once more it's Garnacho who almost scores! Fernandes' wonderful through ball releases the teenager in behind the Leeds backline, and he rounds Meslier. Garnacho then has to check himself, giving the visiting defenders a split second to get back, and his shot is blocked on the line!

Receiving the ball just inside the Leeds half, Fred lifts a high ball into Bruno Fernandes' run into the penalty area, but it's just too high and too long for the Portuguese.

Gnonto goal slower only than Dzeko

Stats specialists Opta note that Gnonto's opener tonight is the second earliest Premier League goal ever scored by an away side at Old Trafford.

Junior Firpo is on for Struijk.

Struijk gets a good two, three minutes of medical attention, and isn't going to be able to continue. Leeds will have to make a second change already.

Rashford lets fly from 25 yards, and fires his shot right into Struijk's head. The defender is down and thoroughly dazed.

That's a fine chance for Garnacho to level! Bruno Fernandes barrels forward down the right wing, before lifting a cross over to the back post, where Garnacho is waiting. He controls and shoots - but sends his strike just past the left-hand post!

Moments later, Sabitzer fires a low shot off target. United are starting to wake up now.

United finally enjoy a prolonged period in the Leeds half, and create their first chance of the night. The two centre-backs, Martínez and Varane, can't connect with a bouncing ball inside the visiting box, and when it falls to Sabitzer, he slashes it over Meslier's bar!

And again Leeds cause United all sorts of bother! A left-wing cross is flicked on to the back post, where Struijk rises highest to meet it with his head. De Gea has to look alive to stick out an arm and parry! 

Twice Leeds burst forward very, very dangerously.

First, Harrison scampers over the halfway line, with options either side of him. He feeds it right to Bamford, but the striker is muscled off it in the box by Shaw.

A minute later, Leeds get the goalscorer, Gnonto, onto the ball in crossing space on the left. United hack away his ball into the area.

Sinisterra is off. He's replaced by Crysencio Summerville.

Manchester United finally make their presence felt in attack - but the danger is pretty much over before it has begun. The hosts work it to Garnacho on the left, in space to run at the Leeds defence. His control lets him down, though, and it's out for a goal-kick.

In the process of playing that unsuccessful pass, Sinisterra appears to have tweaked something. It's not clear whether or not he can continue.

Leeds, understandably, are playing with confidence now. Harrison feeds it forward to Sinisterra on the right-hand corner of the United penalty area. He looks to play a first-time ball into Bamford's run into the box, but overhits his pass.

The visiting fans are absolutely loving it so far; they're making a lot of noise.

Peeeeep! We're underway.

Out come the teams!

The teams are out and lining up at Old Trafford, where the match referee is Simon Hooper.

Hooper's assistant referees will be Adrian Holmes and Marc Perry, and the fourth official will be Chris Kavanagh. The video assistant referee will be John Brooks.

Almost time to go at Old Trafford!

With just over five minutes to go until kick-off at Old Trafford, the players are in the tunnel and about to make their way out onto the pitch. Here’s a final look at the teams:

Manchester United:

De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Martínez, Shaw, Fred, Sabitzer, Fernandes, Garnacho, Rashford, Weghorst

Leeds United:

Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Wöber, Struijk, Adams, McKennie, Harrison, Sinisterra, Gnonto, Bamford

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Al Ahly vs Real Madrid live online: Vinícius goal, scores, stats and updates, FIFA Club World Cup

Madrid have taken the lead in their Club World Cup semi-final against Al Ahly, by the way. Vinícius Júnior dinked in the opener a few minutes ago in Rabat, where the half-time whistle has just been blown.

Join AS USA's Kieran Quaile for all the reaction to that first half.

Over four decades since Leeds' last league win at United

Another stat that will be only too familiar to Leeds fans is the fact that they haven’t won in the league at Old Trafford for over 40 years.

They last beat United in Manchester in the English top flight in February 1981, when Brian Flynn scored the only goal of the game:

Leeds look to stem flow of goals at Old Trafford

Recent history rather seems to suggest we might been in for a few goals tonight. After all, since Leeds returned to the Premier League in 2020, the Yorkshiremen have gone to Old Trafford twice in the top flight - and have conceded 11 times. 

In 2020/21, the Whites were beaten 6-2 - Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes both bagging braces - and in 2021/22, they again lost by four goals. Bruno hit a hat-trick as the Red Devils triumphed 5-1.

Manchester United's Luke Shaw (left), Marcel Sabitzer (centre) and Diogo Dalot warm up at Old Trafford.

(Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Leeds caretaker Skubala: "We’ve got to be positive and go after three points"

For Leeds, Michael Skubala faced the media ahead of today's clash at Old Trafford. He are a couple of snippets from the caretaker coach.

Interim coaching team:

“It’s a collective approach. We will pick the team together. I think any staff team in the modern way picks the team together. I’m here doing the press, but we’re all behind-the-scenes working really hard to put a team that we think is really competitive on the pitch, to have a good go at Manchester United.

“I would say it’s an exciting prospect. It’s Manchester United, and you know, for the players, change is change. They are professional players, none of us need to get any players up for Manchester United at Old Trafford.”

Tactical changes:

“I think [there will be] a few little tweaks in how we want to play and maybe a few differences you might see. But, fundamentally, we need to make sure the players understand the match plan and game plan we want to deliver. The mood is about that we’ve got to focus on Manchester United, we’ve got to be positive and go after three points.”

Ten Hag: Absences no excuse for United

Here are a couple more quotes from Ten Hag's press conference:

Losing Casemiro, with a number of other players already out:

"I'm the manager, I always have to play with the players who are available. We have a squad, we have many good players available in that squad, who are not always in the starting XI. So, others [will] get the chance and I have to do it. After the game, I can't say Casemiro is not there, Anthony Martial is not there, no, we have to win. This squad, all players in [it], are Man United capable, so they have to perform tomorrow, and we have to win the games no matter who is coming on the pitch."

Allegations of financial breaches against Manchester City:

“I don't have [an opinion] because I'm not here for financial or regulations, I'm a football manager. So, I stick to that and I think others has to deal with that."

Ten Hag on Marsch sacking: "Let managers do their work"

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Erik ten Hag reacted to Leeds' decision to make a change in the dugout, telling reporters: "Most of the time, it doesn't work."

"It's always sad if a manager is a colleague and gets sacked, in general I don't believe in it that if you sack a manager, you get better results.

"Most of the time, it doesn't work. Let managers do their work, finish their work and then make a good evaluation.

"Obviously, the pressure is high with the decision makers in football clubs, and they turn. But if you see the facts, you see the stats, most of the time it doesn't work out well."

(Photo: PHIL NOBLE/REUTERS)

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Al Ahly vs Real Madrid live online: first half, scores, stats and updates, FIFA Club World Cup

By the way, we also have live-text coverage of today's second Club World Cup semi-final, which got going about 20 minutes ago. Real Madrid are up against Al Ahly in Morocco, and it remains 0-0.

Join my colleague Kieran Quaile for that game.

McKennie gets first Leeds start

Meanwhile, Leeds’ interim management team make two changes to the team that lost to Nottingham Forest last time out.

Robin Koch returns from suspension at the back, while January loan signing Weston McKennie is handed his first start since joining from Juventus.

(Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)

First start for Sabitzer as Ten Hag makes three changes

Erik ten Hag makes three changes to the Manchester United side that began the weekend win over Crystal Palace, bringing Diogo Dalot, Marcel Sabitzer and Alejandro Garnacho into his XI.

With Casemiro suspended, Sabitzer comes into the midfield for his first start for United since joining from Bayern last month, while defender Dalot is back for his first appearance in a month, having shaken off a thigh injury.  

18-year-old winger Garnacho is given his first league start in 2023.

Leeds team news

Leeds' XI has also just dropped. It is: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Wöber, Struijk, Adams, McKennie, Harrison, Sinisterra, Gnonto and Bamford.

Manchester United team news

Manchester United's starting XI is in. Ten Hag has gone with: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Martínez, Shaw, Fred, Sabitzer, Fernandes, Garnacho, Rashford and Weghorst.

Who'll replace Marsch at Leeds?

Rayo Vallecano head coach Andoni Iraola is being heavily linked with the position, as is Feyenoord boss Arnie Slot.

Iraola has led Rayo to a mightily impressive fifth in LaLiga so far this season, having last term piloted the club to a 12th-placed finish. Los Franjirrojos also reached the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey in 2021/22.

Under Slot, meanwhile, Feyenoord are top of the Eredivisie this season, as the Rotterdam club seek their first Dutch title since 2017.

(Photo: JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA/DIARIO AS)

Trio of coaches to take charge of Leeds at Old Trafford

While Leeds look to appoint a successor to Jesse Marsch, the team announced earlier this week that a coaching team of Michael Skubala, Paco Gallardo and Chris Armas will be in the dugout in Manchester.

Leeds are bidding to have the new man in charge in time for Sunday's return fixture against United. Chairman Andrea Radrizzani had said he was optimistic of confirming an appointment by this morning, but today tweeted that the club “need more time", adding: "Keep you posted.”

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United vs Leeds United: times, how to watch on TV, stream online | Premier League

Should you be wondering where you can watch United vs Leeds either on TV or online, let me point you in the direction of our guide on how to tune in to the clash. 

Fans arrive at Old Trafford ahead of today's matchday-eight clash.

(Photo: REUTERS/Peter Powell)

Man United's Premier League season so far: at a glance

Our colleagues at SofaScore have also put together this at-a-glance look at Manchester United's Premier League season so far. Curiously, the Red Devils' goal difference - F34, A26 - is a mirror image of Leeds: the Whites have conceded 34 and scored 26.

Since the World Cup, United have won more Premier League points (16) than any other team - and Marcus Rashford has had a fairly big hand in that. The England forward has scored six goals in seven top-flight appearances since returning from Qatar, and is United's leading league scorer this season, with 10.

Old Trafford all set

The Theatre of Dreams is ready and waiting.

Sabitzer set for first start?

Manchester United's Marcel Sabitzer, a January signing from Bayern Munich, arrives at Old Trafford ahead of today's game. Could the Austrian be poised to make his first start for his new team?

(Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

How it stands at the bottom of the PL

I've detailed Leeds' plight to you already, but I haven't actually shown you the standings at the bottom of the Premier League. Well, look away now, Whites fans. Today's visitors to Old Trafford have a game in hand on Everton, and could really rather do with making full use of it. If they lose today, they'll remain clear of the drop zone only by virtue of the fact that they're four goals better off than the Toffees.

How it stands at the top of the PL

If they beat Leeds, Manchester United will go level on points with Manchester City in second, albeit the champions will have played one game fewer. United can also reduce the gap between themselves and leaders Arsenal to five points - but the Gunners will have two games in hand on the Red Devils after today.

United seek 14th straight home win

As for Manchester United, Erik ten Hag’s men are currently on a run of 13 victories in all competitions at Old Trafford; the last time they failed to win at the Theatre of Dreams was their 0-0 draw with Newcastle in mid-October.

United’s winning home streak includes six league victories in a row - most recently against Crystal Palace at the weekend. That 2-1 triumph did come at a cost, though: key midfielder Casemiro was sent off for his rather energetic attempt to fix a kink in Will Hughes' neck, and begins a three-game suspension today.

(Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Leeds' Premier League season so far: at a glance

Courtesy of our colleagues at SofaScore, he's an overview of a Leeds campaign  which, as things stand, is in grave danger of ending in relegation back to the Championship. Particularly given the effect Sean Dyche seems to have had at 18th-placed Everton.

Leeds winless in seven in Premier League

Jesse Marsch’s sacking - three weeks shy of the first anniversary of his appointment - came after 17th-placed Leeds extended their winless run in the Premier League to seven games. 

The final straw for the Elland Road board was a 1-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest at the weekend, which left them above the relegation only on goal difference. They haven’t won in the Premier League since a 4-3 victory over Bournemouth at the start of November.

(Photo: MOLLY DARLINGTON/REUTERS)

Manchester United vs Leeds: preamble

Hello! Welcome to our live coverage of Manchester United and Leeds’ rearranged matchday-eight Premier League clash, which kicks off at 3pm ET - in about two hours’ time. 

United are on a long winning run at Old Trafford, and can move level on points with second-placed Manchester City today; Leeds, on the other hand, are deep in relegation trouble. Indeed, the Whites visit the Red Devils having sacked head coach Jesse Marsch on Monday, the American departing after less than a year in charge.

Today’s match-up will be round one of a cross-Pennine double-header, as United go to Elland Road on Premier League matchday 23 on Sunday.