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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Dan Marsh

Wilfried Gnonto makes Marcus Rashford gestures after scoring for Leeds against Man Utd

Wilfried Gnonto became the latest Premier League star to mimic Marcus Rashford's goal celebration after scoring against Manchester United on Wednesday night.

The 19-year-old forward has produced a number of eye-catching displays for Leeds in recent weeks and fired the Whites into a shock lead after just 56 seconds in midweek. An own goal from Raphael Varane doubled Leeds' advantage, but Rashford and Jadon Sancho notched second-half goals to pull the score back to 2-2, which is how the enthralling encounter ended.

Even though United fought back to pinch a share of the spoils, Gnonto's early strike set the tone for a Leeds side who were sat just above the relegation zone prior to the match and desperately needed points.

After his goal, the talented teenager celebrated by replicating the celebration that Rashford has adopted this season - just as various other top-flight players, including Bukayo Saka and Joelinton, have done already this term.

Rashford's goal on the hour mark means the United academy graduate has now clocked up 20 goals this season - a marked improvement on the five strikes he managed during an injury-hit campaign last year. However, it wasn't enough to inspire Manchester United to all three points.

Leeds U21 coach Michael Skubala was in charge of the Whites after the club dispensed with the services of former head coach Jesse Marsch at the start of the week and could still be at the helm when the two sides clash again on Sunday.

Join the debate! What did you make of Man Utd's performance against Leeds? Let us know here.

Wilfried Gnonto copied Marcus Rashford's goal celebration after scoring against Manchester United (Getty Images)

Gnonto admitted after this goal that he had conflicting emotions after United battled back to earn a share of the spoils in the second-half. But he did insist that the performance was a positive one that Leeds could move forward and build upon once a permanent successor to Marsch is appointed in the coming weeks.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Gnonto said: "We did a really good game. We tried to stay together and fight together. We proved we have a top team. It's a little bit mixed emotions because we wanted to win.

"We always want to start games well. We want to show the opponents we're there and want to win. Of course it went well but we conceded two goals at the end. It's a shame.

"I don't really know. When we go into a game we try to do our best. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I don't think we did something differently. Today was a positive game. We showed we have character. From now on we try to show our character. We can beat anybody."

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