United Review | Leeds away | February 2022

Leeds 2 - 4 United

We United survived a second-half scare to win at Elland Road, as substitutes Fred and Anthony Elanga both found the net in the final 20 minutes.

Author | Liam C

United shot into a two-nil lead before the break thanks to goals from Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes. Could this be another 5-1?

Leeds responded in the second half. Quickfire goals from both Rodrigo and Raphinha had pulled Marcelo Bielsa's side level. Panic was starting to set in among those in the away end.

With around 20 minutes left on the clock, United hit the front again thanks to Fred, who’d only just come on to replace the excellent Pogba.

The Brazilian midfielder wasted no time making his mark, charging forward and linking up neatly with Sancho before smashing a left-footed strike past Meslier. The away end absolutely erupted.

Leeds tried to hit back through Gelhardt, who forced De Gea into a sharp save after bursting into the box. Moments later, Klich tested the Spaniard again from distance, but once more our keeper was equal to it.

As Leeds pushed bodies forward in search of an equaliser, United wrapped things up through Elanga. The youngster latched onto a clever through ball from Fernandes and finished calmly to seal the points, stretching our unbeaten away run in the league to seven games.

Watch from the Leeds perspective below

Three players that stood out

Harry Maguire | After facing questions over his captaincy during the week, the Yorkshireman responded in the best possible way by heading home the opener on 33 minutes. Overall, it was a strong display from Maguire, who produced several crucial headers and tackles throughout.

Jadon Sancho | Provided the assists for Fernandes’s header and Fred’s goal, remaining a lively presence throughout. Played mostly from the right in the first half but troubled Leeds even more after switching to the left. Went close with a fine effort in the 65th minute and maintained his strong recent form. After a standout performance, the England international earns our man of the match.

Anthony Elanga | The substitute injected pace and directness that Lingard hadn’t shown, creating two solid opportunities in the second half, one of which he took brilliantly by slotting through Illan Meslier’s legs.