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Kieran King

'Plenty of danger' - National media verdict on Leeds United's 4-2 defeat against Man Utd

Leeds United were made to pay for lapses of concentration at the back as they fell to a 4-2 defeat against Manchester United at Elland Road.

Marcelo Bielsa's side started the game on the front foot, but it was the visitors who took the lead through Harry Maguire's header, before Bruno Fernandes doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time.

The Whites didn't give up and scored twice within a minute as Rodrigo's cross looped into the top corner and Raphinha tapped home from close-range to complete the comeback.

However, the Red Devils stepped it up a gear and went back in front through Fred's drilled strike, while Anthony Elanga wrapped up the win late on.

Here is what the national media had to say about the game.

'Showed their defensive frailty'

In his BBC Sport report, Phil McNulty believes that Leeds need to get the likes of Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips back from injury to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.

He said: "Leeds United demonstrated every facet of exactly what they are in another Elland Road thrill ride. Marcelo Bielsa's side can be called many things but never dull.

"Leeds showed their defensive frailty in the first half when Diego Llorente failed miserably to mark Maguire at a corner, the situation not helped by keeper Meslier's 'in-out' hokey-cokey that left him in no man's land.

"They were exposed again when Victor Lindelof strode out of defence to tee up Sancho for the perfect cross on to Fernandes' head to send clouds of gloom over Elland Road, to accompany those depositing constant heavy rain on a pitch left carrying surface water.

"What we saw then was the bold, attacking bravery that has made Leeds, under Bielsa, one of the most exciting teams to watch since their return to the Premier League.

"They pulled the situation around but there was never a sense that they were in complete control, secure against an attacking counterpunch and so it proved as Manchester United inflicted further punishment.

"Leeds and Bielsa cannot get midfield lynchpin Kalvin Phillips, main marksman Patrick Bamford and defender Liam Cooper back quick enough, just to ease those worries of dropping into relegation trouble."

'Never lose confidence'

Despite falling to a third defeat in four matches, the Mirror's Collin Millar has admitted that the Whites should take some positives from their second-half fightback.

He said: "While Leeds United have endured plenty of difficulties and adversity this campaign, little can be in doubt regards to their spirit and belief in boss Marcelo Bielsa.

"That was on show again today – netting twice within the space of a minute to salvage a two-goal deficit against a significantly more able team.

"Rodrigo’s goal – which made more than an element of fortune – predictably whipped up the atmosphere in Elland Road to fever pitch and the team fed on that to score against moments later through Raphinha.

"Leeds may yet be involved in a relegation battle this campaign but this is a group of players who will never lose confidence in what they are being instructed to do."

'Struggling to retain possession'

It proved to be a frustrating afternoon for the Whites, who showed so much fight to get back into the game and Louise Taylor has claimed that Ralf Rangnick's side had 'greater control and cohesion'.

In the Guardian, she said: "A defiant Leeds drew level, albeit briefly, after falling two goals behind, while Jadon Sancho had arguably his best game for Ralf Rangnick’s side as questions concerning Marcelo Bielsa’s future at Leeds resurfaced.

"Manchester United’s first visit to a full Elland Road since 2003 coincided with a day of torrential rain and capriciously gusty winds, with the hazardous underfoot conditions more than matched by the hostile atmosphere.

"To say there is antipathy between these two sets of fans would be putting it mildly and a competing soundtrack featuring, most politely, the Leeds anthem Marching On Together and the visitors’ favourite Pride Of All Europe heightened the frenetic onfield intensity.

"With Bielsa’s side struggling to retain possession on the heavy, sodden, surface, Rangnick’s players exerted greater control and cohesion."

'Plenty of danger for Leeds'

Martin Samuel, speaking in the Daily Mail, believes that Leeds are in danger after conceding more than three goals in a game for the sixth time in 10 matches.

He said: "To be fair, Leeds’ first did contain an element of good fortune. If Rodrigo truly intended to chip David De Gea it is one of the goals of the season.

"If, as suspected, he overcooked a cross only to see it carry the Manchester United goalkeeper, it was a handy stroke of luck.

"The second was not. Fernandes goes to ground too easily, simple as that. On two occasions in the first half he had been left rolling in agony that made it hard to believe he could carry on. Both times he swiftly recovered.

"So, almost from the kick-off, when he was nailed in possession by Adam Forshaw and fell as if shot, referee Paul Tierney was having none of it. He waved play on — VAR would later also check and find nothing — and Forshaw picked out Daniel James on the left.

"He never made it at Old Trafford, but this was a beauty of a cross that left Raphinha needing only to do the necessary to score at the far post. The locals were delirious at the thought of humbling their rivals. It was not to be.

"Could it have been different? Yes, if Tierney had viewed a first-half incident in a different light. McTominay’s challenge on Robin Koch seemed to contain elements of a forearm smash bringing forth much blood and later saw him leave the field dizzy.

"Tierney thought it a coming together and, to be fair, Leeds did not make a fuss. Another referee might have seen dangerous play. Certainly, there is plenty of danger for Leeds now."

'Burst into life'

Sky Sports' report claimed that Joe Gelhardt and Raphinha, who both came on at half-time, made a difference in the context of the game.

"Leeds, who had already replaced Robin Koch with Junior Firpo after the defender had picked up a head injury, made a double change as Raphinha and Joe Gelhardt replaced Jack Harrison and Llorente as they looked to get back into the game, and it burst into life for the home side.

"Rodrigo's hopeful left-footed cross in search of Raphinha somehow ended up beating David de Gea as Leeds grabbed a much-needed lifeline.

"Leeds have dropped below one point per game for this season as the gap between them and the relegation zone stays at five points."

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