Manchester United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Leeds United on Monday as their return to Old Trafford under interim manager Michael Carrick ended in disappointment after 24 days without a match.
A sluggish first-half display proved costly, with Leeds racing into a two-goal lead inside the opening 30 minutes.
Leeds made an explosive start, striking just five minutes in through Noah Okafor, who later doubled his tally with a brilliant volley before the half-hour mark.
While Okafor’s finishing was clinical, United’s defensive lapses made it easier than it should have been. The backline, including Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui, looked off the pace, while Manuel Ugarte struggled to impose himself in midfield.
Bruno Fernandes tried to spark a response, twice attempting to release Benjamin Sesko, but Leeds’ defence reacted quicker on both occasions.
Amad Diallo also came close with a strike from distance, only to be denied.
United were fortunate not to fall 3-0 behind before half-time, thanks to a crucial goal-line intervention from Lisandro Martinez, who slid in to stop a certain goal after Senne Lammens was bypassed.
The goalkeeper then produced another key save moments later to keep United alive going into the break.
After the restart, Sesko showed flashes of danger but lacked the final touch. The turning point arrived in the 57th minute when Martinez was shown a straight red card for violent conduct after pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair, leaving United with 10 men.
Despite the setback, the hosts rallied. Casemiro pulled one back in the 69th minute, reigniting belief inside Old Trafford as United began to push Leeds deeper.
Even with a numerical disadvantage, the Reds created late pressure, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha both testing the visitors’ resolve.
Leeds, however, remained dangerous on the break, forcing a stunning save from Lammens in the 77th minute to deny Calvert-Lewin a second goal.
United’s best chance of an equaliser came in the 85th minute when Sesko’s header was straight at Karl Darlow, before Casemiro’s follow-up effort was cleared off the line in dramatic fashion.
In the end, Leeds held firm to secure a historic first league win at Old Trafford in nearly 50 years, leaving United to regroup ahead of a tough trip to Stamford Bridge next weekend.
