Before Monday night’s game against Leeds United, Michael Carrick urged Manchester United fans to make the atmosphere count during the rivalry game. But just five minutes into the game, the crowd at Old Trafford was silenced.
Noah Okafor pounced on a bad headed clearance by Lenny Yoro and scored a volley to give the away side the lead. After the goal, Manchester United look out of sorts; they could not get a foothold into the game. And Leeds United looked dangerous anytime they had the ball in attack. Over 20 minutes after the first goal, Okafor scored his second to double the Whites’ lead.
The two goal cushion was enough as Leeds held on in the second half. A goal from Casemiro looked to have sparked a comeback, but the Red Devils failed to convert their chances and Daniel Farke’s side saw out the game.
talkSPORT pundit apologises to Leeds United fans
Many had already marked Leeds United for relegation this season, with some even predicting they would lose on Monday night. But after the Whites pulled off a massive result, some pundits have taken back their words. Darrent Bent ‘apologized’ to Leeds fans for not giving their team a chance on Monday night.
“I want to apologise to Leeds fans, I got it wrong. You got slapped.” Bent said on talkSPORT.
“It should have been 5-0 at half-time.
“As funny as it was, but I want to apologise to Leeds fans
“It was an incredible performance.”
READ MORE: Simon Jordan mocks Leeds United after Old Trafford win: “Did they win the European Cup?”
Daniel Farke has learned from recent away results
The first half performance was the key to the result; Leeds were relentless and shut down any spaces Manchester United could have used. And they were even deadly on the counter, as the home side could not stop them anytime they went on the break. Just like Darrent Bent pointed out, Michael Carrick was lucky his side were not down by more goals after the first 45 minutes.
Daniel Farke has picked up a lot from the last two away games to Chelsea and Aston Villa. Leeds were on the front foot and dominated the first half at Villa Park, but failed to capitalize and only managed a draw. Away to Chelsea, Farke’s side were too defensive and paid dearly for it by going two goals down. It was bringing on an attacker that lead to the comeback. And it looks like Farke used the two games to figure out his tactics on Monday night, which worked to perfection.
