Fred on target as Manchester United Survive Leeds United Comeback

Manchester United held off a spirited Leeds United comeback at an emotional Elland Road to earn a vital victory and keep their hold on a Premier League top-four spot.

They delivered a spectacular spectacle in the first meeting between the two old rivals at Elland Road since October 2003, played out in a deluge and a predictably raucous atmosphere.

At the break, Manchester United held perfect control when captain Harry Maguire headed home Luke Shaw’s corner and Bruno Fernandes did the same from Jadon Sancho’s cross just before half-time.

Leeds, however, staged an incredible comeback and were level with two goals inside a minute when Rodrigo’s 53rd-minute ball crept in behind keeper David de Gea, and then substitute Raphinha threw Elland Road into raptures with his acrobatic finish from a Daniel James cross.

Manchester United regrouped, manager Ralf Rangnick made changes, and one of his substitutes reaped the rewards when Fred drove in at Illan Meslier’s near post following more excellent work by Sancho with 20 minutes remaining – although Anthony Elanga was struck by objects thrown from the crowd during the celebrations.

Elanga recovered to confirm Manchester United’s victory two minutes from time with a controlled finish off Fernandes’ feed.

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