They made their supporters wait until the final 10 minutes, but Manchester United's late strikes earned a fine win over a Leeds side who gave them problems at Elland Road.
Erik ten Hag saw his team move seven points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham as Marcus Rashford's header and a fine finish from substitute Alejandro Garnacho got the job done in a febrile atmosphere, with Leeds giving as good as they got for most of the game.
Crysencio Summerville had threatened in both halves for the hosts, while Leeds had Illan Meslier to thank for a fine stop from Bruno Fernandes.
The visitors pulled away late on though, gaining revenge for dropping points at home to the same opposition in midweek.
Here are the game's talking points.
1. Erik ten Hag's surprises in defence
It had been Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez who were at scene of the crimes when United went 2-0 down to Leeds in midweek, and so Ten Hag was well within his rights to shake things up at the back for the trip to Elland Road.
It still came as a shock though.
In came Harry Maguire for his first appearance away from Old Trafford in 2023, and a first away start in the Premier League since that infamous 4-0 demolition at Brentford in August.
Tyrell Malacia was added too, with Luke Shaw moving across to centre-back, and it all added up to a fairly disjointed beginning as the visitors were rushed by a home side who flew out of the blocks.
With Maguire often looking uncomfortable on the ball, Ten Hag's side were pinned back by a fast home start, which is something the Dutchman must have been concerned about having rung the changes.
2. Summer loving
Crysencio Summerville was one of Leeds' leading lights in those opening exchanges, with the wide man's direct running and searing pace causing problems for Malacia in particular.
The 21-year-old is an important player for the Whites, scoring their two winning goals against Liverpool and Bournemouth just prior to the World Cup in what became the last stand of Jesse Marsch.
Indeed, Summerville's January ankle injury in the FA Cup against Cardiff which ruled him out for a month could be seen as hugely unfortunate for the now ex-manager, as had he been around then results would likely be different.
3. The American engine room
Marsch may be gone, but Leeds' American dream lives on in the forms of Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams in midfield, with both making their presences felt in an area where their visitors missed the influential Casemiro.
Adams, at 23, has proven to be a fine signing by Marsch having arrived from RB Leipzig in the summer, with the 24-year-old McKennie - who could be seen alongside him against England and Wales at the World Cup - a player who has long been tipped for stardom.
This was just his second start after joining loan from Juventus, and he looked the part in the Premier League as he went toe-to-toe with Fred and Marcel Sabitzer..
The duo are likely to prove particularly tough for several sides to deal with this season, and they could hold the key to Leeds rising up the league.
4. The Wout Weghorst question
This was an eighth consecutive start for Wout Weghorst since he joined Ten Hag's side on loan in January, but is he really doing enough to keep his place in the XI?
You can certainly understand why United wanted to move for him as they don't have another player like him in the squad, but his presence is somewhat blunting the attacking threats of others, most notably Rashford.
United have looked better as a more mobile unit this season, and perhaps the Dutchman would be better utilised as an impact substitute?
Garnacho played that role to perfection here though.
5. Man Utd's top four advantage, but for how long?
Manchester United are in the midst of a run of fixtures the type of which they haven't experienced for a long time.
Since the turn of the year it's been a steady run of games every three to four days, they've done brilliantly thus far but it is about to kick up several notches with Barcelona and a League Cup final on the horizon.
These are challenges that top clubs have to face, and Ten Hag has guided this most weighty of clubs back into that company. Can they stay there though?
They were somewhat fortunate here, and had to grind out their win, doing so mightily impressively late on as Rashford and Garnacho struck.
Better performances are likely to be needed to stay up there though..
