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Days after the sacking of manager Jesse Marsch, relegation-threatened Leeds have gone into Old Trafford and drawn title-challenging Manchester United 2-2 with a midfield duo of Tyler Adams-Weston McKennie and a three-headed coaching monster including the American Chris Armas (mockingly referred to as "Ted Lasso" during his stint as assistant at Man Utd) and a guy who recently managed England's futsal team.
This sport is batshit crazy and I love it.
Leeds did their damage at the start of both halves. With less than a minute on the clock, Adams helped win possession off Bruno Fernandes before Patrick Bamford teed up Wilfried Gnonto for a rasping finish on the edge of the area.
After looking toothless up front match after match during the final days of Marsch's tenure, this was an unimaginable start to proceedings.
LEEDS UNITED TAKE THE LEAD OVER MANCHESTER UNITED WITHIN THE FIRST MINUTE OF THE MATCH!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 8, 2023
The visitors established a pattern of play that heavily disrupted Man United's fluency in attack. With Adams and McKennie roaming the midfield, closing down passing lanes and looking like they did for the USMNT vs. England, the Leeds front four of Bamford, Gnonto, Jack Harrison and Crysencio Summerville made life difficult for Raphaël Varane, Lisandro Martínez, Marcel Sabitzer and Fred.
The home side eventually recovered from conceding so early, but they couldn't make anything from 11 shots in the opening 45, putting only three on target. Adams led all players with three interceptions while McKennie was everywhere with a match-leading four clearances and two tackles.
The second half started as a carbon copy of the first. Less than three minutes into the restart, a Summerville cross was inadvertently turned home by Varane at the near post. 2-0 Major Leeds Soccer.
YET ANOTHER STRONG START TO A HALF FOR LEEDS UNITED!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 8, 2023
The Red Devils did finally manage to put one beyond Illan Meslier in the 62nd after Marcus Rashford headed home his 11th goal of the campaign.
Marcus Rashford scores AGAIN!
That's his sixth straight home Premier League match with a goal.
: @USANetwork #MyPLMorning | #MUNLEE pic.twitter.com/FtFbyxCPYI— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 8, 2023
Brenden Aaronson joined the fray in the 63rd and promptly crashed a free kick off the post two minutes later.
Brenden Aaronson's free kick goes off the post.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 8, 2023
McKennie, Aaronson and Adams then all combined to help Luke Ayling get a shot away, but the defender failed to gift The18 its single greatest piece of highlight content ever.
But what Leeds need more than anything is Matt Turner on loan. Jadon Sancho equalized in the 70th with a little bloop that squirmed through Meslier's noodle arms.
Jadon Sancho is BACK!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 8, 2023
In the 74th, the Red Devils earned a corner by smashing the ball off Adams' testicles. Christian Pulisic probably felt that one.
Leeds hung on over the final 15 minutes and claimed a massive point to move up to 16th — one point ahead of 18th-place Everton and relegation after 21 games.
Final USA player/coach ratings vs. Manchester United
Weston McKennie: 8
They kept talking about how much more effective Leeds looked out there on NBC Sports, and the obvious reason is that McKennie was making his first start. He lasted 90 minutes at Old Trafford, almost all of which was spent defending. McKennie finished with three tackles, three interceptions and six clearances. His passing wasn't great, but I don't mind.
Tyler Adams: 7
Exactly what we've come to expect from Adams at this point. He made more interceptions than anyone else and did all the little things right.
Brenden Aaronson: N/A (27 minutes)
He almost scored a goal!
Chris Armas: 9
This was personal for the 50-year-old, and I think Armas got his redemption by taking a point off Erik ten Hag.
