Leeds United 0-2 Manchester United: Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho goals boost title hopes in hard-fought win

Marcus Rashford once again proved to be the difference in Manchester United’s 2-0 victory over Leeds United in a scrappy contest at Elland Road.

There was no love lost between the two sides, making it a stop-start match due to the 23 fouls committed all over the pitch, but Erik ten Hag and his side won’t care, with the victory moving them wihin five points of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

The home side had an early chance to open up the scoring after Patrick’s Bamford pass was poked away from goal by David De Gea straight into the path of a wide open Crysencio Summerville, who could only blast his shot over the bar.

Leeds had another chance late in the half, with Summerville lashing an on-target strike from a tight angle.

De Gea once again managed the save, with the ball hitting Harry Maguire before landing again to Summerville, who was unable to get a shot off before it was cleared.

In added time of the half, Bruno Fernandes pounced on a mistake by Maximilian Wober, but after the Portuguese rushed towards goal, his shot was stopped by Illan Meslier.

The home side started the second half strongly, with several chances just landing wide. Jack Harrison’s first-time shot after a Harry Maguire mistake petered just off-target, while Luke Ayling’s half-volley was deflected onto the wrong side of the post.

Later in the half, Diogo Dalot hit a shot that slammed off the crossbar, with Meslier’s feet rooted to the spot.

In the 80th minute, Marcel Sabitzer drilled the ball to Luke Shaw who managed to whip a cross into the box. Rashford, who was relatively free in the area, rose and headed it straight into the back of the net to score his 21st goal in all competitions this season.

Five minutes later, substitute Alejandro Garnacho doubled the score after the Wout Weghorst pokes forward the ball for the youngster. He manages to get around a defender, and pick out the far bottom corner to secure United's second.

Up next, Leeds will continue to look for points to avoid the drop against fellow relegation battlers Everton, while Manchester United will turn their focus to the first leg of their Europa League tie against Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

It wasn't a vintage performance from Manchester United, nor Rashford specifically. Leeds did well to limit the forward's opportunities, and overall were the better side throughout the match. Rashford, however, just needed the one chance to put his side ahead. The goal means that he's now got 12 in the Premier League, only two behind Brentford's Ivan Toney. In his last ten matches in all competitions, he's provided either a goal or an assist in eight of them, scoring eight goals and assisting twice in that time. He's clearly flourished under Ten Hag, and fans will hope that goalscoring form will continue.

It's quite fitting that De Gea put in a prime performance during his 400th Premier League appearance, a feat that only Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes have done for Man United. But the truth is his side wuold lose this match quite badly if he was not in between the sticks. The Spanish 'keeper made six saves against a Leeds side that looked rejuvenated under a new interim manager and was overall a calming presence at the back. Despite a couple of mistakes being made by Maguire, De Gea was always there to pick up the pieces.

Shaw also had a performance to remember, with an assist, three clearances, three blocked shots, one interception, and two key passes.

LEEDS: Illan Meslier 7, Junior Firpo 6, Maximilian Wober 6, Robin Koch 6, Luke Ayling 7, Tyler Adams 6, Weston McKennie 6, Wilfried Gnonto 7, Jack Harrison 6, Crysencio Summerville 7, Patrick Bamford 6... SUBS: Rutter 6, Aaronson 6, Greenwood 6.

MAN UTD: David de Gea 8, Tyrell Malacia 6, Luke Shaw 6, Harry Maguire 5, Diogo Dalot 6, Marcel Sabitzer 7, Fred 7, Jadon Sancho 6, Bruno Fernandes 6, Marcus Rashford 7, Wout Weghorst 5... SUBS: Martinez 6, Garnacho 7, Wan-Bissaka 6, Elanga N/A.

39' - PENALTY SHOUT? Fernandes takes a long-range shot, and it hits the arm of Koch as he's turning away before Meslier makes the save. Fernandes want a penalty, gesturing wildly to the ref, but he does not get the call.

44' - CHANCE FOR LEEDS: Summerville takes an angled shot, but De Gea palms it away. The ball unfortunately hits Maguire and then lands back to Summerville, but the Leeds man can't get another shot off. There is a penalty shout there as Maguire had wrestled Bamford to the floor, but nothing is called.

49' - ANOTHER MISTAKE AT THE BACK: Both these teams have not been great, and it's another Maguire mistake! His pass is sloppy and Summerville intercepts it, passing it onto Bamford. He sees Harrison on the left, and knocks it to him, but the shot is wide.

51' - CLOSE AGAIN! Leeds earn a free-kick and the clearance falls to Ayling at the edge of the box. He hits a half-volley, that takes a slight deflection and is just wide off the post. Leeds have not started this half well!

80' - GOAL! LEEDS 0-1 MAN UTD: WHO ELSE BUT MARCUS RASHFORD? Leeds have been the better side but the man comes up again to save his team! It's a good ball in by Shaw, and the Englishmen is able to rise above everyone else and head it home. VAR takes a moment to confirm, but he is onside.

85' - GOAL! LEEDS 0-2 MAN UTD: THIS HAS COME OUT OF NOWHERE! IT'S TWO FOR MAN UTD! Garnacho gets the visitors' second at the near post, and they are flying high!