Fewer touches than Meslier: "Absolutely shocking" Leeds dud badly failed Bielsa vs Utd - opinion

Leeds United picked up a third defeat in four matches despite threatening to mount an exciting comeback against arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.

In the first game played out in front of fans between the two teams at Elland Road since 2003, the two teams put on a six-goal spectacle in the pouring rain.

The visitors were in complete control at the break after Harry Maguire headed home Luke Shaw’s corner and Bruno Fernandes did the same from Jadon Sancho’s chipped cross.

Marcelo Bielsa then made a double change for the second half and it looked to have paid serious dividends as they levelled with two goals in just as many minutes.

Rodrigo’s cross found its way over David de Gea before substitute Raphinha slid in to fire Dan James’ low-driven cross in at the back post.

But Ralf Rangnick also made changes himself and it worked as both Fred and Anthony Elanga found the net and gave the Red Devils the spark they were lacking in the final 45.

Leeds have now leaked a whopping ten goals in their last 270 minutes, which has to be as big a concern as the continued absence of last season’s top goalscorer Patrick Bamford, if not worse now.

Diego Llorente was at fault for Man Utd’s opener and was nowhere to be seen for the second, which is perhaps why Bielsa hooked him at half-time.

As per SofaScore, the 28-year-old centre-back failed to win a single aerial duel, being beaten by Maguire for their first goal from a corner in many, many games, whilst he managed only 28 touches of the ball, which was even fewer than Illan Meslier (43), the goalkeeper.

Elsewhere, the £16.2m-rated Spaniard also failed to register a single block or interception and he lost possession four times.  A very weak and lacklustre display indeed.

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