Manchester United battle back to draw with Leeds

Substitute Jadon Sancho secured Manchester United a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Leeds to deny their managerless rivals a famous first league win at Old Trafford in 42 years.

The relegation-threatened Whites sacked Jesse Marsch on Monday and caretaker replacement Michael Skubala was on course to mastermind an unforgettable victory two days later.

Wilfried Gnonto fired the visitors ahead after 55 seconds and Raphael Varane turned into his own goal early in the second half as Leeds dreamt of a first league win at Old Trafford since February 1981.

But Erik ten Hag's United are made of increasingly stern stuff and rallied impressively, with Marcus Rashford’s header followed by substitute Sancho’s goal.

Illan Meslier superbly stopped Varane scoring a winner at the end of a rip-roaring tussle that adds excitement ahead of Sunday’s return fixture at a bouncing Elland Road.

Leeds may have Marsch’s full-time successor in place for the sides’ second meeting in five days, with Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola and Feyenoord boss Arne Slot among the favourites.

Ten Hag had been unsure what to expect from the visitors in the wake of Marsch's sacking and could not have foreseen them racing into the lead within a minute of kick-off.

Bruno Fernandes evaded Tyler Adams’ attention on the flank, but ran into a Pascal Struijk tackle that sent the ball flying forward to Gnonto.

The 19-year-old played a one-two with Patrick Bamford as he cut in from the left and sent a fizzing shot from the edge of the box that skipped into the bottom left-hand corner.

The Yorkshire hordes erupted at a goal the VAR gave the green light following a check for offside against Bamford.

Leeds were forced into an early change as Crysencio Summerville replaced injured Luis