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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Liam Wood

Anthony Elanga flashpoint and three moments missed during Manchester United's win over Leeds

Manchester United have earned cross-county bragging rights after an enthralling showdown with their bitter rivals Leeds United on Sunday afternoon.

Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes put United in control at a wet and windy Elland Road, before they closed out a deserved 4-2 verdict upon the restart.

It was two substitutes - Fred and Anthony Elanga - who added gloss to the score-line.

However, the victory was far from plain-sailing for United, despite a dominant opening 45 minutes. Leeds emerged from the half-time break with intensity as goals from Rodrigo and Raphinha threatened a turnaround - before those above changes put Ralf Rangnick and his men in credit.

Here are four moments you might have missed from the all-action Elland Road meeting.

Maguire ends corner hoodoo

Perhaps not a moment missed in the strictest sense, rather a moment not to be missed. Coming up 11 months, or 309 days to be precise, since they last scored from a corner, United put an end to that cycle against Leeds.

Delivery and finishing has let them down in equal measure in that department, but Luke Shaw and Maguire - both subject to heavy criticism this season - combined with clinical effect. A knee slide from Maguire followed, but there was to be no ear-cupping or silencing the noise this time around.

Perhaps he took note of the backlash that had come his way while on England duty!

Robin Koch was downed by Scott McTominay during the early stages. (Paul Ellis / AFP via Getty Images)

First round to McTominay

Boxing rivals Amir Khan and Kell Brook took centre stage in Manchester on Friday night. It was Brook who reigned supreme via TKO as those two British superstars finally settled their differences. A bout ten-plus years in the making, Sheffield-born Brook overpowered his nemesis and when Lancashire met Yorkshire once again down the M62, any dented pride was restored for the red rose.

Scott McTominay left an early marker on Robin Koch which drew claret and that set the tone for a tasty 90 minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba showed Koch a little more sympathy when he was eventually withdrawn.

Elanga underlines his mettle

Any meeting between Leeds and United is going to be frosty, understandably more so when supporters had been starved of such an occasion at Elland Road in the Premier League since 2003. Generally, hostility was capped at that until Elanga was struck by an unidentified (blue) object thrown from the crowd.

An unsavoury if isolated flashpoint, you would have forgiven the Swedish teenager had he been affected by that moment. Not one bit. Elanga went on to add a fourth goal and endeared himself further to the United supporters with a passionate reaction post-match. It's hard not to love him.

A raking pass from Tierney!

Despite countless millions that have been splashed out on players who strode out at Elland Road, wet and windy conditions made it tricky throughout the 90 minutes. Standing water, perhaps, played a part when five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo passed up his golden chance from point-blank range. Maybe that's being too kind?

Slipping and sliding while giving up possession, referee Paul Tierney showed there is more to him than a shiny whistle when conjuring up a sensational long-range pass after officials decided to change the match ball. He drew applause from fans as a result and they were not even ironic cheers...

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