A round-up of what the national media are reporting after Leeds United’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Elland Road in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
'High on conflict low on quality'
Luke Edwards wrote in The Telegraph: "This was a game that had almost everything you would expect from a feisty, combative clash between two bitter old rivals in desperate need of points, at opposite ends of the table, but until Marcus Rashford’s thumping late header it was a high on conflict low on quality occasion.
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"Leeds were physical and rough. They kicked, barged and scratched as they fought for everything. Every loose ball became a scrap. At times, especially in the first half, the ball felt like an appendage. It was there, but neither side looked after it properly given they were more intent on causing pain and discomfort. The game was trapped in a cycle of foul play.
"The home crowd loved the conflict. They cheered and applauded every thunderous tackle, every shoulder barge, every time a foot or knee connected with a player in a red shirt. Manchester United were dragged into the brawl and fought back, but they forgot to play football too.
"They were so intent on standing up to Leeds’ intimidation tactics that they allowed their hosts to dictate what sort of match it became.
"Leeds had wrestled the initiative away from Ten Hag’s side in the second half and had looked the more likely to score, until Rashford intervened . His golden touch extending to his head as he planted a cross from Luke Shaw beyond goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Alejandro Garnacho added a second that flattered the visitors immensely."
'For 80 minutes Leeds went toe to toe'
Louise Taylor wrote in The Guardian: "Anyone unfortunate enough to have used the shambolic TransPennine Express rail service between Leeds and Manchester this winter could be forgiven for suspecting the distance separating the cities has somehow increased.
"Unfortunately for Michael Skubala, the Leeds caretaker manager, the gap between his club and Erik ten Hag’s now looks positively vast. Barely 50 miles separate Elland Road and Old Trafford but while Manchester United headed back west across the hills with their hopes of Champions League qualification enhanced, Skubala’s players are deep in relegation trouble.
"Admittedly for 80 minutes Leeds went toe to toe with their illustrious guests, giving Ten Hag’s players a few frights but, ultimately, and not for the first time this season, they burned themselves out. In the final few minutes the home team were running on empty, mentally as much as physically, and goals from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho duly secured a potentially pivotal away win.
"While Manchester United sit five points clear of fourth-placed Newcastle and seven in front of fifth-placed Tottenham, Leeds are one point above the relegation zone, before Saturday’s visit to third-bottom Everton, and have gone a club record-equalling nine games without a Premier League win.
"By Saturday the Yorkshire club hope to have installed a new manager to replace Jesse Marsch, who was sacked last Monday, but for the moment Skubala is probably holding the fort as competently as anyone."
'Deserved a point'
Oliver Holt wrote in the Daily Mail: "They had built a wall of sound at Elland Road and the volume had barely dropped, every minute full of fury, loathing, visceral roars and taunts.
"There were screams of approbation when tackles flew in and jeers of derision when a Manchester United player was hurt. The noise and intensity were relentless. For Erik ten Hag and his team this was football as a test of character. This was trial by hostility.
"Then, 10 minutes from the end, the noise, fury and hope ceased. The ball hung in the air from Luke Shaw's superb cross from the left and the home fans saw Marcus Rashford rising unmarked eight yards out.
"Suddenly, there was silence. Time stopped. Rashford guided the ball precisely past Illan Meslier in the Leeds goal. Still, there was silence. All the energy had gone. All the optimism had vanished.
"Leeds probably deserved a point in the second meeting between these sides in five days but it was hard to begrudge Ten Hag's team the victory, too."
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