'Less of the chaos'

'Less of the chaos' - National media verdict on Leeds United's 2-2 draw at Manchester United

A round-up of what the national media are reporting after Leeds United's 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

Ian Ladyman observed in the Daily Mail: "What a game this was. Leeds were recognisable in terms of their spirit from Marsch’s year-long tenure. They just had less of the chaos. They were brave and ambitious and superb to watch on the counter attack. Ultimately they deserved to hold on for a point under their interim coach Michael Skubala.

"United, on the other hand, will rightly view this result as a setback. Having won their last six home league games at Old Trafford, another three points would have taken them level with Manchester City in second place and into the heart of the title race.

"A draw is of more value to Leeds than to United. But it didn’t feel like that, not really. The best news of all is that these teams meet again at Elland Road on Sunday. The home fans will have to think of something new to sing."

'Proud from the first whistle to last'

Jamie Jackson wrote in the Guardian: "Headers from Raphaël Varane and Bruno Fernandes and a late Rashford stabbed effort might have claimed victory yet Leeds deserved a draw for a display that drew chants of “Yorkshire, Yorkshire” and “marching on together” from supporters proud from the first whistle to the last.

"Leeds caught their hosts not cold but in a deep-freeze. Just 56 seconds were gone when Fernandes was hustled by Pascal Struijk. The ball went to Wilfried Gnonto who exchanged passes with Patrick Bamford before drilling past a flat-footed David de Gea.

"The Old Trafford faithful were stunned, Ten Hag in stare-mode, rooted to his seat. On the touchline, Michael Skubala punched air in delight. The co-caretaker, a former England futsal coach and Leeds Under-21 manager, had only 24 hours to prepare his charges following Jesse Marsch’s sacking, and on this evidence had used these prudently."

'Battling spirit that remains in this group'

Simon Stone of BBC Sport wrote: "If he was watching as Varane turned Summerville's cutback into his own net three minutes after the break, Marsch must have wondered why he could not have enjoyed the same slices of fortune.

"Leeds are not his responsibility now of course and Skubala's celebrations on the touchline were full of sheer delight, along with those of a coaching team that includes Chris Armas, who spent the second half of last term being derided for his contribution to Ralf Rangnick's Manchester United staff.

"Football management is not so easy though and Skubala went through a full range of emotions as Manchester United fought back, appealing for every throw and free-kick, no matter how obviously it was that they were not his team's.

"However, with the backing of their noisy support, Leeds made it to the final whistle, lifting some of the pressure off the players and placing the focus back on sporting director Victor Orta, who returned from a trip to Madrid talking to potential managers to see for himself the battling spirit that remains in this group of players."

'Less of the chaos' - National media verdict on Leeds United's 2-2 draw at Manchester United

'Less of the chaos'

'Proud from the first whistle to last'

'Battling spirit that remains in this group'

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