Ralf Rangnick reveals what referee told him after Bruno Fernandes challenge for Leeds equaliser vs Manchester United

Ralf Rangnick told referee Paul Tierney if the challenge on Bruno Fernandes seconds prior to Leeds United's equaliser occurred in Germany 'it wouldn't even have gone to VAR'.

Fernandes was forcefully dispossessed inside his own half and Leeds worked the ball to Daniel James, who crossed for Raphinha to tap in.

The VAR, Chris Kavanagh, replayed the challenge and eventually concluded it was not a foul and Raphinha's 54th-minute equaliser stood.

United regained their lead through substitute Fred in the 70th minute before fellow arrival Anthony Elanga clinched victory in the 88th minute. Rangnick likened the United-Leeds rivalry to the enmity between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke but was taken aback by the ferocity of the first Premier League match between the teams with matchgoers present at Elland Road since October 2003.

"We showed maturity," Rangnick said. "We were rising our level of aggression towards what we had to play here in this atmosphere.

"For me, as somebody coming from Germany, there were quite a few tackles that in Germany there would've been no discussion whatsoever.

"I spoke to the referee after the game about that tackle on Bruno before they scored the equaliser and I said, 'listen, in Germany, they wouldn't have even asked VAR' and the referee said to me, quite funnily, 'listen, this is probably why you had to come to England'.

"We did well, we showed character and this was important after the results of yesterday. We had to win the game and I hope that not only the win but the way we achieved the win will give us new additional energy for the upcoming games on Wednesday against Atletico Madrid and the next Premier League game against Watford at home."