Manchester United was given another opportunity to move level on points with their Manchester rival, the Citizens, when they play another long-time nemesis, Leeds United. But it was the visitors which came to Old Trafford and spoiled the party of the home side after taking a 2-0 lead early in the second half. The Red Devils had to fight back from the multiple-goal deficit and managed to salvage a point to remain third in the English Premier League, thanks to a goal each from two England international, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho.
Sabitzer’s First Start for United
The 28-year-old Austrian midfielder sealed a loan move from German Bundesliga 1 giant Bayern Munich to Manchester United last January transfer window and was finally given the chance to start the game as a United man. The player’s performance in the Red Devils’ shirt would mean night and day for United as the team will be without their starting central defensive midfielder Casemiro, following his three-game suspension due to a red card last time out. Erik ten Hag also brought on Portuguese right-back Diogo Dalot and Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho to his starting line-up against the Peacocks.
United was hit by its travelling opponent right from the beginning, after its captain Bruno Fernandes lost the ball in its own half. Leeds quickly capitalised on the mistake, with Patrick Bamford playing a one-two with Wilfried Gnonto, and the 19-year-old Italian forward was not afraid of unleashing a shot outside the box. His strike beat past David de Gea and fired into the bottom left corner, giving the visitors a 1-0 margin in enemy’s turf in the very first minute. The team in white then doubled its lead three minutes into the second 45 minutes, after Manchester United’s squandered chance after chance in the first half. Leeds’ Crysencio Summerville’s cross from the left found Raphaël Varane’s right foot around the goal, only for the retired French international to put the ball into the back of his own net.
The Devils Roared Back in the Last Half Hour
Ten Hag decided to shift things up just before the hour mark, replacing Wout Weghorst and Garnacho with Jadon Sancho and Uruguay’s Facundo Pellistri. The replacements proved their worth for United for the rest of the game as the 21-year-old Pellistri controlled a long ball from Sabitzer at the right flank and passed it for Dalot to send a cross for his in-from teammate Rashford to pull one back for the home side. It was the 25-year-old striker’s 12th goal in 14 matches for the team from the Red Half of Manchester, totaling his season tally to 20 goals with so many games left to be played.
Eight minutes later, Luke Shaw and Sancho combined to the lead the attack for United on the left wing, with the left-back playing a one-two with the forward to send himself into the penalty box. The 27-year-old England defender’s cross was blocked by Leeds’ backline, but Sancho was ready to control it, before slotting in the equaliser for the Red Devils. It was the 22-year-old’s fourth goal of the season, and his first since September last year, hence he was reasonably emotional and thrilled to have redeemed himself after the long absence as a United player. Remaining efforts from Erik ten Hag’s men were not able to find the winner for the home side and that meant United dropped points once again and failed to go level on points with the second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League table.
JADON SANCHO IS BACK 🔥👏 pic.twitter.com/2KjWX87xP2
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 8, 2023
Ten Hag: “Proud of Sancho, but United’s Slow Start Is Unacceptable.”
United’s Dutch manager was certainly happy with Sancho’s performance last evening, but had admitted that his side started the match poorly and succumbed to the pressure given by its derby opponent. He said, “It was a very bad start. Especially in a derby, you have to be ready to battle and take responsibility. We didn’t do that. If you start each half the way we did, it’s unacceptable. I’m disappointed we lost all the battles inside the first minute in each half.” Nonetheless, the 53-year-old also expressed his compliments over United’s fightback spirit late in the game, added that “But I have to compliment the team. They are resilient and they fought back to score two really good goals.”
Interestingly, United will once again face their rival Leeds United this weekend, with the returning leg of the Premier League fixture set to be played in the Elland Road. Can Erik ten Hag’s men come out with all three points this time around? We would love to hear your thoughts.
In other sports, Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James became NBA’s all-time leading scorer, after the forward dropped 38 points against Oklahoma City Thunder at home.
