Leeds on point again as Bielsa’s men hold firm
LEEDS claimed another deserved point against one of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ with a 0-0 draw at home to Manchester United in a game of few clear chances.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s visitors extended their unbeaten away league run to 24 matches, while Leeds have gone six undefeated in the Premier League for the first time since 2002.
Leeds recently beat Manchester City with ten men at the Etihad Stadium and followed that up at Elland Road on Monday night with a point against Liverpool.
A first win against their archrivals since a 2010 FA Cup upset was beyond the hosts but Marcelo Bielsa’s team did match them.
Leeds were reminded of the huge chasm that had opened up between the two clubs during their 16-year top-flight exile in a thumping 6-2 defeat to Solskjaer’s side in December.
Whites fans have waited nearly 20 years for a league win against Manchester United but this encounter has been overshadowed by the fallout from the European Super League’s attempted coup.
The visitors’ team bus entered Elland Road with minimum fuss, in contrast to Liverpool’s arrival on Monday, but the issue remains raw and a banner reading ‘£2bn stolen #Glazers out’ in protest against United’s owners was flown over Elland Road before kick-off.
On the field, the first 45 minutes was high intensity but low on chances. Harry Maguire deflected a cross over the bar with his knee and VAR deemed Luke Shaw had not handled in the penalty area when the ball struck his arm.
Stuart Dallas’ low shot, easily gathered by Dean Henderson, was the game’s first effort on target in the 35th minute and the next, Marcus Rashford’s free-kick, was brilliantly saved by Illan Meslier. Bruno Fernandes dragged a shot wide early in the second period and the game opened up.
A quick Leeds break saw Aaron Wan-Bissaka deflect Helder Costa’s shot over, while Mason Greenwood’s low effort failed to trouble Meslier. In a frantic finale, Leeds looked just as likely to win it but both sides lacked the killer touch.