Second-half flurry ignites Leeds, Man Utd but spoils shared at Elland Road

Scott McTominay, Ezgjan Alioski Leeds v Man Utd April 2021

A flurry of second-half chances proved the best of the action as Leeds and Manchester United drew 0-0 in an otherwise largely abject affair at Elland Road.

The Whites have drawn every match with the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ so far this season and this one was no different.

After a dull first half in which set-pieces proved the best chances, a host of opportunities in a short, second-half blitz brought the game to life.

However, neither side could find a winner, with Leeds moving above Arsenal into ninth with the point.

The first half was largely a stop-start affair which never really got going. Despite chances being few and far between, though, the two sides could both have scored.

Indeed, the best of the opportunities for United came from set-pieces, with Harry Maguire having a free header from a corner but blazing over.

Towards the end of the half, Marcus Rashford had a swerving, dipping free-kick tipped over well by Illan Meslier.

Bruno Fernandes also got in on the act with free-kick efforts of his own, but much like the first 45 minutes, he failed to really get going.

Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes Leeds v Man Utd April 2021

Leeds, meanwhile, had a penalty shout after 20 minutes when Luke Shaw’s arm prevented the ball from reaching Helder Costa. However, VAR chief for the afternoon, Mike Dean, waved it away.

The Whites kept going, though, and Luke Ayling’s teasing cross had to be booted clear for a corner. Stuart Dallas then got a shot on target, but it was straight at United goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

United started the second half brightly, with Mason Greenwood slipping Daniel James in with a through-ball. However, the Welshman’s mix-up with Rashford saw him lose possession.

Leeds, Man Utd go up gears

Luke Shaw, Kalvin Phillips Leeds v Man Utd

Ayling and Costa combined for the latter’s teasing cross which evaded Bamford, before Fernandes struck powerfully wide with his first touch after a James set-up.

The game then came to life with a flurry of end-to-end action. James looked set to score when Ezgjan Alioski scuppered the chance, before Costa’s volley took a wicked deflection and dipped onto the roof of the net.

Mateusz Klich was then slid in, but his curled effort was easy for Henderson, who was instantly in action again to save Ayling’s long-range effort.

Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani came on for United as they searched for a winner.

Leeds, meanwhile, brought centre-back Robin Koch on for Roberts as the chances for both sides remained few and far between.