Manchester United 2-2 Leeds United: Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford inspire comeback for Erik ten Hag’s side

Jadon Sancho marked his first Premier League appearance since October with the equaliser as Manchester United fought back from two goals down to salvage a draw against managerless Leeds at Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag’s side were staring at defeat when Raphael Varane’s own goal doubled Leeds’ advantage three minutes after the restart with Wilfried Gnonto giving the visitors the opener after just 55 seconds.

Marcus Rashford halved the deficit with his 20th goal of the season and Sancho rescued a point for the Red Devils.

Man Utd were stunned when the in-form Gnonto gave the visitors a shock lead with his fourth goal in seven games, lashing the ball into the bottom corner after Bruno Fernandes was robbed of possession.

The loss of Luis Sinisterra and Pascal Struijk to injury in the first half failed to dampen Leeds’ spirit as they continued to play with intensity and defended resiliently, with Maximilian Wober heading Alejandro Garnacho’s goal-bound effort off the line.

Loan signing Marcel Sabitzer, making his first start since joining United on Deadline Day, forced a fine save from Illan Meslier as the hosts upped the ante in search of an equaliser.

But they were left to lick their wounds after conceding just three minutes after the restart when Varane turned Crysencio Summerville’s cross into his own net, as Leeds suddenly looked on course for their first win at Old Trafford since 1981.

A brilliant header by Rashford from Diogo Dalot’s cross reinvigorated the home side before Brenden Aaronson almost restored Leeds two-goal advantage with a free-kick that rattled the post.

Substitute Sancho then levelled the scores with a tame shot that Meslier ought to have saved – it was his first goal since September and only his third this term.

With the momentum fully behind them, Man Utd pushed for a winner as Varane’s header was kept out by Meslier, but they couldn’t get over the line as their run of 13 straight home wins was brought to an end.

The result means Manchester United remain in third, seven points behind leaders Arsenal having played two games more. Leeds climb a place into 16th but are just a point above the drop zone.

Talking point – Below-par Man Utd count the cost of injuries and suspension

Manchester United’s winning streak at Old Trafford comes to an end in disappointing manner, even if they did have to show spirit to secure a point.

Ten Hag’s charges had another opportunity to drag themselves into the title race, but without Casemiro and Christian Eriksen they lacked the intensity and drive to overcome a Leeds side determined not to feel sorry for themselves following the departure of manager Jesse Marsch.

The Red Devils gave themselves a mountain to climb following some slack defending and required a change in personnel and tactics 15 minutes into the second half in order to begin their fightback. And it was fitting that Sancho – the man entrusted by Ten Hag to reinvigorate his side despite such a lengthy layoff – grabbed the all-important equaliser. But it wasn’t enough.

United have now dropped points in three of their last four games and can surely be counted out of the contention to win the Premier League once and for all.

Leeds, on the other hand, looked like a side reborn under caretaker manager Michael Skubala despite having just a few days to train under their new man.

Player of the match – Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds)

Led the visitors’ attack with purpose and energy, setting the tempo of the match with a fine opener.

Player ratings

Man Utd: De Gea 6, Dalot 6, Varane 6, Martinez 7, Shaw 6, Fred 4, Sabitzer 6, Fernandes 6, Rashford 7, Weghorst 4, Garnacho 5.. subs: Malacia 5, Pellistri 6, Sancho 7.

Leeds: Meslier 5, Ayling 6, Koch 6, Wober 8, Struijk N/A, Adams 6, McKennie 6, Sinisterra N/A, Harrison 7, Gnonto 8*, Bamford 7.. subs: Fernandez N/A, Firpo 5, Aaronson 5, Summerville 8, Greenwood N/A, Rutter 5.

Match highlights

1’ – GOAL! MAN UTD 0-1 LEEDS (WILFRIED GNONTO): What a start by the visitors! Less than a minute on the clock, they’re on the scoresheet! Adams robs Fernandes on the flank, Gnonto takes control and plays a one-two with Bamford before lashing a shot low and hard into the corner past De Gea! Four goals in seven games for Gnonto!

27’ – OFF THE LINE! Fernandes sets Garnacho through with a beautiful volleyed pass and the youngster rounds the onrushing Meslier. But just when he thinks he has equalised he sees his goal-bound shot headed off the line by Wober!

30’ – IMPRESSIVE SAVE! Man Utd are turning the screw and applying real pressure on their visitors now, as Sabitzer checks back onto his left foot and gets a curling shot away. It looks destined for the top corner until a fully stretched Meslier makes a one-handed stop to push it away.

62’ – GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 1-2 LEEDS (MARCUS RASHFORD): Game on! It’s a brilliant header from Rashford as he meets Dalot’s cross, grabbing his 20th goal of the season. All to play for now.

65’ – LEEDS HIT THE POST! Aaronson almost restores Leeds’ two-goal advantage with a free-kick that smashes off the post with De Gea beaten!

70’ – GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 2-2 LEEDS (JADON SANCHO): He hasn’t played in the Premier League since October but Sancho has come off the bench to help rescue Manchester United! He gets a tame shot away but comes through the tightest of gaps and Meslier has to do better as it nestles into the net!

Key stats

• Marcus Rashford is the first Manchester United player to score in six consecutive appearances at Old Trafford in the Premier League since Wayne Rooney in April 2012.
• Wilfried Gnonto’s goal after 55 seconds is the second-earliest goal scored against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League, after Edin Dzeko’s strike in March 2014 for Manchester City (43 seconds).