Manchester United’s first league move to Elland Road since 2003 was not memorable as they played out an overwhelming 0-0 draw with Leeds.
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On the way into this game, it was the two sides that were involved in the most goals during this Premier League season, so predictably the first half was largely boring. It took Leeds half an hour to wake up and turn this into a match, but the best chance of the first half fell to Marcus Rashford, whose free kick in the 45th minute gave an excellent save from Illan Meslier.
There was a bit more life during the second half of the year, which became an end-to-end deal around the hour mark. Mason Greenwood, Daniel James and Bruno Fernandes all had half a chance to score, while Mateusz Klich and Luke Ayling asked both questions to Dean Henderson, but the finish at a high pace gave very little in front of goal and both sides were forced to share points.
Meslier had a solid game | JON SUPER / Getty Images
Illan Meslier (GK) – 7/10 – Not tested too often but did well when required. Made an excellent save for Rashford’s free kick.
Luke Ayling (RB) – 8/10 – Enjoyed his fight with Rashford and James and usually came out on top. Made the highlight of the first half by telling the lineman to “stop waiting for WHERE and use your f ***** g flag”.
Diego Llorente (CB) – 7/10 – Continues to get better and better in the heart of Leeds’ defense. Captain Rashford and Greenwood frustrated all afternoon and impressed with his passing.
Pascal Struijk (CB) – 7/10 – Looks like getting into his role as Leeds’ starting back. Impressed during open play but was spoiled by Maguire far too often from death play.
Ezgjan Alioski (LB) – 5/10 – United turned to Alioski, who struggled to manage the movements of Greenwood, Rashford and Fernandez. Got some good positions in attack but did not do enough at both ends.
Phillips were excellent defensive | JON SUPER / Getty Images
Calvin Phillips (DM) – 8/10 – Proved why he is so important to Leeds. Was a powerful presence in the midfield all the time and stuck to Fernandes as glue. Keeps him out of the game with ease.
Helder Costa (RM) – 5/10 – Shaw had a field day against Costa, whose energy at both ends of the field was not close enough. Did more harm than good.
Stuart Dallas (CM) – 5/10 – Kept things that ticked with good passes but were not strong enough in the midfield battle. Lost all too often for McTominay and Fred.
Tyler Roberts (CM) – 5/10 – A real mixed bag. Made some exciting runs forward but constantly struggled with the ball at his feet.
Jack Harrison (LM) – 4/10 – Bearish. Very tough. Created so little and was very sloppy with his last ball, and his defensive work was not up either. Leeds left side had a bit of a shock.
Bamford was frustrated throughout | PETER POWELL / Getty Images
Patrick Bamford (ST) – 5/10 – Did not do anything because he did nothing at all. Starved for service but still did not make himself available enough.
Klich had a mixed komo | PETER POWELL / Getty Images
Ian Poveda – 6/10
Mateusz Klich – 5/10
Robin Koch – 6/10
Henderson had a quiet game | Pool / Getty Images
Dean Henderson (GK) – 7/10 – Was so bored as a goalkeeper that he spent most of the match as a third midfielder. Liked the ball a lot and did well with his kicks.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) – 7/10 – Choked Harrison and Alioski with some excellent defense, but also managed to impress in the attack. Can still be improved in the last third but will obviously get there.
Victor Lindelof (CB) – 8/10 – Marked Bamford out of the game and spent most of the afternoon cosplaying as Andrea Pirlo with a few long balls, most of which were not so bad.
Harry Maguire (CB) – 6/10 – Comfortable on the back but needed to do more with his head in the Leeds box. Had a handful of good opportunities but wasted everyone.
Luke Shaw (LB) – 7/10 – His job was facilitated by Costa forgetting how to play football, but Shaw was still excellent. Showed real speed and strength to fight back all challengers.
Fred impressed in the midfield Pool / Getty Images
Scott McTominay (DM) – 7/10 – Had a fun physical fight with Phillips and chipped in with some important defensive contributions, but left a lot to be desired in the attack.
Fred (DM) – 7/10 – Proved his doubts wrong by showing a real intelligence in the defense. Positioned himself perfectly on a number of occasions and broke several Leeds attacks on his own.
Daniel James (RM) – 5/10 – Did not like the battle with Leeds physical backline. Became second best in almost every duel and did not do enough with his rare goals.
Bruno Fernandes (AM) – 5/10 – Choked by Phillips all the time and had to wait until halfway before he could find some space. When he finally got on the ball, he was a little wasteful.
Marcus Rashford (LM) – 5/10 – Replace with Greenwood in attack but could not do much from any position. Ayling was everywhere all the time and clearly roughing him up.
Greenwood looked like a threat | LAURENCE GRIFFITHS / Getty Images
Mason Greenwood (ST) – 6/10 – Looks like United’s dangerman. Drifted between the wing and the central striker to find space behind Leeds’ backline, but was sloppy with his finish.
Pogba impressed on the pitch Pool / Getty Images
Paul Pogba – 7/10
Edinson Cavani – N / A
Donny van de Beek – N / A
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