Leeds United 0 United 2

Marcus Rashford's header and substitute Alejandro Garnacho's strike gave Erik ten Hag's men two goals in three minutes to secure all three points and move United into second in the table, above Manchester City (who are due to play Aston Villa) and only five points behind Arsenal.

United could have had two further goals, with Rashford and Wout Weghorst having efforts ruled out for offside before the end.

The game showed the intensity of the rivalry between the two clubs, with a number of fouls breaking up play, backed by a fierce atmosphere which, at times, crossed the line.

FIRST HALF - FOULS, FOULS EVERYWHERE!

The noise inside Elland Road was electric from both sets of fans. But on the pitch, the game started with a gritty, physical style of play, with multiple fouls committed. And that resulted in an early free-kick for the home side that picked out Maximilian Worber on the left wing. His pass found Patrick Bamford whose shot was saved by David De Gea, followed up by a shot by Crysencio Summerville, who failed to convert.

Nearly 20 minutes into the match, United had our first big opportunity of the game. Jadon Sancho took on the already booked Junior Firpo and slotted to ball to Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder had already scored six goals against Leeds in all competitions going into the match, but fired his first-time shot wide of the far post.

The game took an ugly turn midway through the half, with 11 fouls committed by both teams just before the half-hour mark. A couple of clashes between Luke Ayling and Tyrell Malacia, as well as Fernandes and Summerville, showed the intensity of the rivalry.

And just before the end of the half, Leeds looked to snatch the lead. Summerville managed to create a quick counter-attack which forced De Gea to make a save, which rebounded off Harry Maguire but was brought under control by Malacia and cleared away. 

And moments later, it was United's turn to try to steal an opener. Fernandes won the ball from the Leeds' defence, deep inside the opposition half and bore down on Illan Meslier's goal. His one-on-one chance forced the Frenchman to make a superb save to keep the game level.

SECOND HALF - REDS RALLY

Leeds started the game on the front foot with two big opportunities. The best of the pair fell to Ayling on the edge of the box, whose shot ricocheted off Luke Shaw, forcing the ball wide.

Moments later, United broke on the counter-attack with Fred finding Rashford, speeding towards the box. The Reds' no.10 was brought down the in the area by Ayling and Weston McKennie, but the referee immediately signalled no penalty.

United came again 15 minutes in the half. Substitute Alejandro Garnacho cut in on the left-hand side and picked a pass to Fred. The Brazilian turned to his right and found Diogo Dalot who fired a shot from distance. It curled past Meslier but cannoned off the crossbar and was cleared by the Leeds defence.

The hosts then came close to opening the scoring. Pouncing on a Shaw back pass, Summerville sprinted towards De Gea, but the keeper produced a brilliant save with his legs to deny the winger.

And two minutes later, Rashford's moment came. Marcel Sabitzer's excellent pass found Shaw on the left wing. Taking a touch and looking up, the defender whipped in a wicked cross towards Rashford, who rose high and hit a bullet header past Meslier to open the scoring with 10 minutes left to play.

Once the floodgates opened, United wanted more. Garnacho managed to dance through, before finding himself in a shooting position. Taking it on his right foot and striking towards Meslier's near post, despite  him getting a hand to it, the Argentina Under-20 wing wizard found the net, via the woodwork, to put the game to bed.

Rashford and Weghorst found the net again in a one-sided finale but VAR checks supported the on-field decision to flag both efforts offside.

MATCH DETAILS

Leeds: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Wober, Firpo, McKennie (Greenwood, 86) Adams, Summerville, Harrison (Aaronson, 72), Gnonto, Bamford (Rutter, 58)

Unused subs: Robles, Gyabi, Kristensen, Pinheiro Monteiro, Fernández, Chilokoa-Mullen.

Booked: Firpo, McKennie 

United: De Gea, Dalot (Wan-Bissaka, 72), Maguire, Shaw, Malacia (Martinez, 60), Sabitzer, Fred, Sancho (Garnacho, 60) Fernandes, Rashford (Elanga, 90+1) Weghorst

Unused subs: Heaton, Lindelof, Varane, Iqbal, Pellistri.

Goals: Rashford 81, Garnacho 84.

Booked: Fred.