Man Utd 2 – 2 Leeds

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Substitute Jadon Sancho scored on his Premier League return after nearly four months out as Manchester United came from behind to draw 2-2 with managerless Leeds in a thriller at Old Trafford.

Sancho, who lost to United 2-0, equalized (70) after linking up with Luke Shaw on the left after seeing Marcus Rashford lead the hosts level (62) with his 20th goal in all competitions this season.

Leeds, who sacked head coach Jesse Marsch on Monday, opened the scoring after just 55 seconds through Wilfried Gnonto’s poor effort from the edge of the area and struck early in the second when Raphael Varane converted Crysencio Summerville’s cross (48).

United missed the chance to move level on points with second-placed City, while Leeds moved a point clear of the relegation zone but are now without a win in eight league games. The team plays again on Sunday at Elland Road, staying at Sky Sports.

Man Utd and Leeds serve up a thriller at Old Trafford

Leeds took full advantage of Casemiro’s suspended minutes-long absence as Gnonto opened a hole in United’s midfield by playing a one-two with Patrick Bamford before firing into the bottom corner from the corner of the box to give the visitors a dream start.

United looked lost after falling behind and were unable to overcome Leeds’ blistering intensity but a defensive intervention from Lisandro Martinez kept the deficit at one. Alejandro Garnacho twice came close to levelling, with Leeds defender Max Wober clearing one of the 18-year-old’s strikes.

Marcel Sabitzer, who took time to settle into the game in his full United debut, had several attempts to mark the opportunity with a goal from a distance, but was rejected by Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier after a wide narrow shot when the hosts in the contest and slowed down the tempo.

Leeds came out firing in the second half and made United pay as Varane’s own goal doubled their advantage, but Rashford turned the tide for a sleepy United with a header just past the hour mark, giving Old Trafford hope of a comeback.

United were in a dominant position although Leeds almost scored another goal when Brenden Aaronson’s free-kick went into the wall and clipped the post. At the other end, Bruno Fernandes’ close-range effort was blocked after Rashford’s cross picked him out.

United got a breakthrough with Sancho and Shaw joining on the left as the striker returned to score his first goal since September – in his first league appearance since October, when he was given a break from first-team football by manager Ten Hag following a clear drop-off in form.

Fred had a long-range strike saved by Meslier as United pushed home the winner with Rashford also denied by the French keeper in the closing stages from a set-piece, but Leeds still left Old Trafford with the points.