Leeds United 0-0 Man United: Red Devils drop two points as the gap widens at the top of the table

Bruno Fernandes-Manchester United

Manchester United were held to a goalless draw against Leeds United in the Premier League earlier tonight.

Neither side managed to create too many chances and that draw tonight leaves Manchester United 10 points behind arch-rivals Manchester City in second place.

Meanwhile, Leeds United are up to 9th in the table after extending their unbeaten run to six matches in the League.

Marcus Rashford had a half-chance early on in the game, but his free-kick was well saved by the Leeds United goalkeeper.

Another chance fell to Bruno Fernandes from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s pass on the hour mark, but he dragged his shot wide.

As for the Whites, their best chance fell to Helder Costa in the second half, but his effort flashed over the bar.

Marcelo Bielsa decided to stick with the side that managed to grind out a draw against Liverpool, and he will be reasonably pleased with the performance against united tonight.

Meanwhile, Manchester United lacked the intensity and urgency tonight, and it seems that they are more concentrated on the midweek game in the Europa League.

Solskjaer will be hoping to win a trophy with Manchester United this season, and the Europa League will be his best opportunity to do so.

The Red Devils take on Roma in the semi-finals of the Europa League on Thursday night.

Absence of Raphinha

The Brazilian winger is currently sidelined with an injury, and Leeds United missed his flair and quality in the final third.

Bielsa’s men struggled to create too many chances, and they could have used the Brazilian’s ingenuity against Manchester United’s well-organised defence.

He has been Leeds’ best attacker this season, and the Whites will be hoping he can return to action soon. 

Pogba should have started for the Red Devils

The Frenchman was dropped to the bench for tonight’s game, and Manchester United struggled with the lack of creativity at the centre of the park.

The likes of Fred and Scott McTominay are excellent defensive midfielders, but they lacked creativity and guile.

Pogba eventually came on in the second half, but he should have started the game for United.

Solskjaer needs to invest in a winger

The Red Devils started Dan James tonight, but the former Swansea man failed to help break down the Leeds defence with his flair and pace. 

United must invest in a quality winger like Sancho if they want to win the title. Against the weaker sides, they need more penetration, and James is perhaps not good enough. 

Kalvin Phillips – the star of the show

The Leeds United manager was excellent tonight, and he helped break up the Manchester United play time and again.

His defensive output was the reason the Old Trafford outfit struggled to create too many chances. 

Line-ups

Leeds United

Illan Meslier, Pascal Struijk, Diego Llorente, Kalvin Phillips, Ezgjan Alioski, Luke Ayling, Tyler Roberts (Robin Koch), Stuart Dallas, Jack Harrison (Ian Carlo Poveda-Ocampo), Hélder Costa (Mateusz Klich), Patrick Bamford.

Substitutes

Pablo Hernández, Kiko Casilla, Gaetano Berardi, Jamie Shackleton, Crysencio Summerville, Sam Greenwood.

Manchester United

Dean Henderson, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Bruno Fernandes, Fred (Donny van de Beek), Scott McTominay, Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford (Edinson Cavani), Daniel James (Paul Pogba).

Substitutes

Juan Mata, David de Gea, Nemanja Matic, Alex Telles, Eric Bailly, Axel Tuanzebe.