Kuala Lumpur – Manchester United suffered a surprise home defeat as they lost 1-2 to Leeds United in a Premier League clash on Monday night.
Leeds United, fighting to avoid relegation, secured their first league victory at Old Trafford since 1981 and their first win against Manchester United since 2002. The result moved Leeds six points clear of the relegation zone.
Leeds Dominate Early Stages The visitors took the lead in just the 5th minute through Noah Okafor with a clinical first-time finish. Okafor doubled the advantage in the 29th minute, his shot deflecting off Leny Yoro and into the corner, assisted by Brenden Aaronson.
Manchester United looked sluggish after a 24-day break without a match, while Leeds were sharp and clinical in the first half.
Controversial Red Card and United Fightback After the break, Lisandro Martínez was sent off in the 56th minute for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair – a decision confirmed by VAR. Manchester United manager Michael Carrick described it as “one of the worst” he had seen and confirmed the club would discuss an appeal.
Despite playing with 10 men, United pulled one goal back in the 69th minute when Casemiro headed home from a Bruno Fernandes assist.
In the closing stages, United pushed hard for an equaliser, but Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow made crucial saves, and Calvert-Lewin cleared a shot off the goalline to preserve the victory.
Match Statistics
- Final Score: Manchester United 1-2 Leeds United
- Half-Time: 0-2
- Possession: Manchester United 51.9% – Leeds United 48.1%
- Shots: United 20 (9 on target) – Leeds 15 (6 on target)
- Expected Goals (xG): United 1.31 – Leeds 2.37
- Distance Covered: Leeds 117.2 km – United 110.22 km
Leeds showed great fighting spirit, covering more ground and defending resolutely.
Manager Reactions Michael Carrick expressed disappointment with the first-half performance but remained positive about United’s position in third place with 55 points – still seven points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea. This was Carrick’s first home league defeat since taking charge.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke was delighted, saying it was a “fantastic performance” and stressing the need to stay consistent. “We have to stay humble, grounded, and hungry,” he added.
Current Standings
- Manchester United: 3rd place, 55 points
- Leeds United: 15th place, 36 points (six points clear of the drop zone)
Next Fixtures
- Manchester United face Chelsea on 18 April.
- Leeds United take on Wolves.
This historic win will provide a massive boost to Leeds United’s survival hopes this season.
