Visitors prevail in War of the Roses

Ralf Rangnick was proud of his players’ togetherness and maturity as Manchester United survived a Leeds comeback to win a thrilling War of the Roses clash.

Elland Road’s first Premier League clash between these old foes in front of fans since 2003 lived up to the billing in torrential rain yesterday afternoon in West Yorkshire.

Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes put Manchester United two goals up on enemy territory at half-time, only for Leeds to roar back with two goals inside a minute early in the second half.

The efforts from Rodrigo and substitute Raphinha had Elland Road rocking, only for substitutes Fred and Anthony Elanga to seal a 4-2 victory for Rangnick’s men against their bitter rivals.

“We knew that it was an important win today,” interim boss Rangnick said after a week in which Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford publicly dismissed talk of divides in the dressing room.

“It was similar to the one against West Ham.

“That was similarly emotional at the end with the last-second goal.

“But today it was more important, not only that we won the game but the way that we reacted after conceding the equaliser.

“That was the best possible answer the team could give.

“It was perfect with regard to maturity, unity and the best reply that they could give to some articles last week that there was some disruption in the locker room.

“I think a game like this one today you can only win as a team and with the mentality of a team and this was, apart from the three points, the most important thing.”

Rangnick punched the air in front of the travelling fans at the end of a game in which supporters traded unsavoury chants.

Some Leeds fans also threw objects at visiting players, with one item hitting teenager Elanga as United celebrated Fred’s goal.

The Football Association is aware of the matter and looking into it, the PA news agency understands.

“As far as I know, there is some investigation going on from Leeds United,” Rangnick said.

“I don’t think anything happened in the end.

“Anthony Elanga looked well and he was happy about scoring his goal.

“Obviously things like that should not happen and I think even more so this game. The atmosphere was great.”

Leeds counterpart Marcelo Bielsa said he did not see the incidents involving objects being thrown but condemned such actions.

“Any excess other than sporting should not be approved,” he said.

“I can’t evaluate what you spoke about because I didn’t see it.”

The Argentinian said he was proud of his players’ fighting spirit and that they did not get what he felt they deserved from the game.

“The effort the team made you can value it, but the relationship between what you get and what they produced is enormous in football,” the Leeds boss said.

Goals from Ruben Neves and Daniel Podence gave Wolves their fifth win in six league games as they beat Leicester 2-1.

Neves struck a sweet hit from outside the box on nine minutes with Ademola Lookman levelling for the Foxes just before half-time.

But Podence earned Wolves the three points with his 66th minute goal.

UNITED: Red Devils manager Ralf Rangnick congratulates his players at full-time at Elland Road yesterday.