Ralf Rangnick's two tactical changes inspired Manchester United win vs Leeds United
If Yorkshire-born, Sheffield-bred Manchester United captain Harry Maguire could have picked a time, a team, a ground and an end to score at it would have been in front of Elland Road's Don Revie Stand.
Maguire must have hoped Bruno Fernandes' headed goal would signal a procession. Scoring a second first-half goal was beyond United in their four unwanted draws this year.
"Two-nil in your cup final," bellowed the United fans, who then segued into a chorus of 'Leeds are falling apart again'. It was soon United's turn to fall apart. Two goals in two momentous minutes turned the game on its head and the frailties of this United side resurfaced in a madcap second-half.
Worse than David de Gea misjudging Rodrigo's cross was the ease with which Daniel James bypassed Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's recruitment legacy in a microcosm. Raphinha poached the equaliser. Nine minutes within the restart, it was 2-2.- Leeds fans elicited two deafening dins.
They were not as vocal at full-time, as the Mancunians rocked to Anthony Elanga's song to Rhythm Is A Dancer. Elanga stared down the Leeds fans and pointed to the United crest. Order had been restored, as far as the final score went.
Even before De Gea erred, United restarted casually, almost as if the players had forgotten anything they had learned about the rivalry in a ferocious first-half. Ralf Rangnick tragicomically likened the United-Leeds rivalry to Borussia Dortmund and Schalke. He is unlikely to do so again.
Unlike many of his players, Rangnick regained composure to effect the game through the introduction of Fred, one of the few players who cannot be accused of feeling cowed by the return of matchgoers. His positioning as an advanced midfielder in place of Paul