If it is a one-game reign, then what a game. Michael Skubala may return to the shadows, to the world of Under-21 management, but only after a heady taste of the limelight. Under the unknown, Leeds ended Manchester United’s run of 13 successive home victories. For an hour, they were on course for a first league victory at Old Trafford in Skubala’s lifetime. But, with and without Jesse Marsch, Leeds have a tendency to lose leads and Manchester United have the resolve to mount a response. Leeds were marching on together without Marsch, contributing to a classic, playing with a verve and a dynamism that may have been a reaction to the manager’s sacking. But, by the end, they only have two wins in 18 league games.
Yet it was about a newcomer, a returning hero and the great constant in every Manchester United storyline at the moment. When Leeds could envision ending a wait that dates back to 1981, Marcus Rashford scored his inevitable goal. He has 20 for a season that has almost four months left to run. Yet a comeback was completed by a player on his own journey back: Jadon Sancho’s first goal since September came on his longest outing since October. Half an hour as a substitute offered a reminder of his quality.
