Manchester United showed great determination as they battled back from two goals to earn a draw against Leeds United at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho scored for the Reds, who had to come back from a goal down after Wilfried Gnonto scored in the first minute and Raphael Varane scored an own goal.
United got off to a sluggish start and was caught off guard by an early Whites onslaught, with Gnonto bursting away at speed, exchanging passes with Patrick Bamford, and opening the goal with a low shot that beat David De Gea.
United nearly responded right away, with Alejandro Garnacho having a goal-bound attempt blocked by Maximilian Wober, sending it wide, and Marcel Sabitzer shooting from beyond the box and forcing a fantastic save from Meslier.
With a swift counterattack, Leeds doubled their advantage in the second half. Upon receiving a cross from Crysencio Summerville, Varane tapped it in.
The swift response from United resulted in Rashford becoming the first united player since Wayne Rooney in April 2012 to score in six consecutive Premier League games at Old Trafford.
Sancho’s goal capped United’s comeback; Luke Shaw won possession and sent up the Englishman, who beat Meslier with a low effort.
Meslier’s greatest performance came as a result of Varane’s header, and his goal had a bit of a charmed life at times, with Fred and Fernandes both having opportunities that might have startled the audience.
Shaw, a key figure in Sancho’s goal, exemplified the Reds’ tenacity and never-give-up mentality. When they play at Elland Road for the rematch four days later, they’ll be hoping to improve upon this showing.
Since then, Erik ten Hag’s side has gained three points ahead of Newcastle United and is now in third place in the Premier League. United will want to build on their late grit and win their next road encounter.