Leeds United 0-0 Manchester United
A Premier League ‘War of the Roses’ clash for only the second time in 17 years.
In the end, it was a stalemate with very few chances and even fewer Premier League 2021 highlights but there was no lack of intensity.
A rivalry for the ages, Leeds went into this on the back of two impressive results, a win at champions-elect Manchester City a fortnight ago which was followed up by a draw at home to Liverpool on Monday night.
The SBOTOP Premier League 2021 betting odds may have favoured the visitors but the hosts, who were thrashed at Old Trafford earlier in the season, were never going to make this anything but difficult.
Highlights of the game
Leeds were missing three men with winger Raphinha unable to recover from a thigh injury, while club record signing Rodrigo remained out with a muscle problem and Liam Cooper served the second game of a three-match ban.
United had Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani on the bench, presumably with big games over the next 11 days to come, but forward Marcus Rashford did start despite nursing a foot injury, which meant he was not involved with training during the week.
Eric Bailly was also named among the substitutes after recovering from Covid-19.
Their first Premier League meeting at Elland Road since October 2003, the first clear opportunity didn’t arrive till towards the end of the first half when goalkeeper Illan Meslier tipped a goal-bound Rashford free-kick over the bar and visiting captain Harry Maguire nodded the resulting corner wide.
The second period was more even and the home side threatened when Helder Costa drove a low cross along the six-yard area before his shot deflected off Victor Lindelof and looped over.
Goalmouth action continued to be rare and the visitors grew frustrated in the closing stages with midfielder Fred and Maguire seen arguing during a break in play.
When Bruno Fernandes fired the ball beyond Meslier it struck the post and Leeds had a welcome point to go with the four gained in matches against City and Liverpool.
A point apiece. Now just wait until these two meet next season – with supporters in attendance!
Key statistics
Leeds have gone six consecutive Premier League matches unbeaten for the first time since 2002.
They have lost just once at home in their past seven league games (won three, drawn three).
Manchester United’s club record run of 24 away matches without defeat in the Premier League is only bettered in top-flight history by Arsenal, who managed 27 between April 2003 and September 2004.
United’s 13-match unbeaten league streak is currently the longest in the division, followed by Leeds’ five games.
This was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 300th league fixture as a manager. He has won 152 of those matches.
Leeds had only six shots in this match, their joint-fewest in a league game at Elland Road under Marcelo Bielsa (also six against Barnsley in July 2020).
United have drawn seven league games 0-0 this season – only in 1980-81 (eight) have they been involved in more goalless draws in a single league campaign. United have the most goalless draws of any side in the Premier League this season.
Maguire has not missed a single minute of Man Utd’s last 71 Premier League matches, equalling Gary Pallister’s club record in the competition among outfield players (Nov 1993-May 1995).
What’s next?
Leeds are on the south coast next with a trip to Brighton on Saturday (May 1). United have a big week ahead with Roma due at Old Trafford in the semi-finals of the Europa League on Thursday evening before arch-rivals Liverpool are the visitors next Sunday.
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