Marcus Rashford on one-man mission to keep Man Utd in Premier League title race
Marcus Rashford continued his one-man mission to keep Manchester United in the title race with a late strike at Elland Road. Rashford’s remarkable form saw him notch his 13th goal in the last 15 games as United increased the relegation fears of bitter rivals Leeds.
And substitute Alejandro Garnacho piled on the pain for the managerless Yorkshire club with United’s second, as Erik ten Hag’s men cemented their place in the top four as well as close the gap on league leaders Arsenal.
Leeds had invited United into a scrap – and the visitors accepted. It meant the quality of football failed to match the atmosphere, until Rashford and Garnacho added their touches of class in the final 10 minutes of a feisty affair.
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Ten Hag had made three changes, which included rare starts for England internationals Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho. Maguire was starting his first league game since the start of January, while Sancho had not started a game since October due to physical and mental issues.
Leeds caretaker boss Michael Skubala, meanwhile, made two changes with Crysencio Summerville and Junior Firpo replacing Luis Sinisterra and Pascal Struijk.
If round two was half as good as the game between these two last week then supporters were in for a treat. United were forced to come from two goals down at Old Trafford and Ten Hag had accused his players of sleeping.
And Leeds almost caught United napping again inside the opening four minutes when David De Gea, making his 400th league appearance, deflected Maximilian Wober’s cross into the path of Crysencio Sumerville, but he spooned his shot over the top.
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Leeds tore into the visitors with relish, with Tyler Adams flattening Sancho and then Tyrell Malacia in quick succession to fire up an already hostile crowd.
Ten Hag was not impressed – as it began to dawn on him what coming to Elland Road for this fixture was all about. Fred and Junior Firpo were both booked as the tackles continued to fly in. But despite all the helter skelter, good chances were few and far between.
Bruno Fernandes dragged a shot well wide and Patrick Bamford had a strike blocked at the opposite end as a football match threatened to break out.
Illan Meslier saved a swerving effort from Bruno Fernandes before half time and De Gea produced a one-handed stop to keep out the impressive Summerville’s shot after he’d got in behind Malacia.
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Fernandes then robbed Wober to give himself a clear run on goal, but Meslier denied him with a superb save as the stalemate continued. It had been the golden chance United had been hoping for.
And Leeds almost made United pay for missing it when Summerville demanded a smart save from De Gea, before Luke Ayling picked out Jack Harrison only to see him shoot wide.
Moments later Ayling had a pop himself, but his shot deflected agonisingly wide off Luke Shaw. United were riding their luck but so were Leeds, who saw Diogo Dalot hammer a shot against the crossbar. Ayling fired an overhead kick straight at De Gea, who then produced another sharp stop with his legs to deny Summerville.
The game appeared destined to finish goalless, but Rashford had other ideas and beat Meslier with a cool header on 80 minutes before Garnacho completed the win six minutes from time.
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