Manchester, February 9 (BNA): Manchester United came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Leeds in the English Premier League today, Wednesday.
Substitute Jadon Sancho saved a point for Erik ten Hag’s side, who missed an opportunity to move level on the points with second-placed Manchester City, the Associated Press reports.
Leeds sacked Jesse Marsh on Monday. Still waiting for their first league win since November 5, they are one point clear of the relegation zone.
However, both sides will feel they missed the chance to get more out of the exciting fixture at Old Trafford.
Leeds stunned the home crowd after only 55 seconds through Wilfried Genonto and seemed on the way to victory when Raphael Varane sent Crescencio Summerville’s cross into his own net three minutes after the end of the first half.
United got back into the game through Marcus Rashford’s header in the 62nd minute and Sancho equalized in the 70th minute.
But on a night when United were looking to reduce the gap with leaders Arsenal to five points, they were seven points behind the London club after playing two more matches.
The double strike against Leeds looked like the perfect opportunity for the hosts to continue their run towards the top of the table, as the two sides face each other again in the league at Elland Road on Sunday.
Leeds went without a coach and without a win in the league for three months.
But under the caretaker trio of Chris Armas, Michael Scoppala and Paco Gallardo, the team threatened to strike against an in-form United.
Ten Hag had his own issues to deal with as he tried to deal with a number of key absences including the injured Christian Eriksen and Anthony, as well as the suspended Casemiro.
As a result, United looked light in midfield and up front, even with loan signing Marcel Sabitzer, who made his first start since joining from Bayern Munich on transfer deadline day.
Leeds revealed the home side’s fragility almost straight from the start as Gnonto fired a low shot past David de Gea at the end of a drive into the penalty area in the first minute.
United had chances to score just before half-time, Alejandro Garnacho chipping away at the Leeds goalkeeper before seeing his shot off the line from Maximilian Wooper. Varane then saw a header saved by Meslier, who pushed another Sabitzer effort over the bar.
Leeds scored three minutes into the second half when substitute Summerville’s cross was tipped in by Varane.
He sent Ten Hag to Sancho and Facundo Pellistri in an attempt to come back and it had the desired effect.
Rashford moved into the striker position and pulled home a header after three minutes of substitution.
Brendan Aronson hit the post with a free kick, but Sancho equalized with a low shot through a crowded box.
Varane took another header from Mesler as the crowd swayed United, but the two teams had to settle for an equaliser.