Michael Carrick criticized the referee's decision to red card Lisandro Martinez for a hair pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, calling it 'absolutely shocking.' Manchester United lost to Leeds, and Carrick suggested they might appeal the decision.
Lisandro Martinez was shown red for this tug on Dominic Calvert-Lewinās hair - Phil Noble/Reuters
A furious Michael Carrick said the āabsolutely shockingā decision to send off Lisandro Martinez for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewinās hair was āone of the worst Iāve seenā as Manchester United crashed to defeat to Leeds.
Carrick hinted that United would appeal against the decision as the United head coach questioned how Martinezās infringement could be classed as violent conduct when Calvert-Lewin escaped censure for a āforearm smashā on Leny Yoro in the lead-up to Leedsā first goal.
āI thought the boys stayed positive and fought for everything in the second half after a shocking decision to send Licha [Martinez] off,ā Carrick said. āThatās two games in a row weāve had those decisions go against us but that one was one of the worst Iāve seen.
āI have to say the [first Leeds] goal Leny Yoro gets a forearm smash in the back of his head so I donāt know how that doesnāt get overturned. Itās a clear forearm smashing the side of his head so that first goal shouldnāt stand. Weāve just got to be careful where the gameās going if weāre giving red cards for that [Martinez] but then you can do two arms in the face for the first goal and thatās deemed all right. So itās a shocking decision, absolutely shocking.
Calvert-Lewin was not punished for this incident in the build-up to Leedsā first goal - Phil Noble/Reuters
āHe [Martinez] almost just goes to touch him and grab his shirt and he ends up catching his head, touches the back of his hair, the bobble comes out and you can you get a red card. Itās not aggressive. Thereās no jolt. Thereās no tug. Thereās no sudden movement.ā
The incident was certainly fleeting, so much so that referee Paul Tierney missed the infringement before being directed to the pitchside monitor by the VAR John Brooks.
Carrick said he would speak to Unitedās hierarchy before deciding whether to appeal the MartĆnez decision, with the Argentina centre-back now facing the prospect of a three-match ban.
Calvert-Lewin said: āI donāt make the rules. I felt my hair get pulled, told the ref, he makes the decisions. Unfortunate for him, whether heās meant it or not. I hold no grudges.ā
Bruno Fernandes claimed he would get into hot water if he discussed the officials. āI donāt want to talk about the referees,ā the United captain said. āIf I talk about the referee I am going to get in very big trouble because the rules are different for everyone and applied different for everyone. The difference in the yellow cards, you can see it so it is better I do not say anything.ā
Martinez is not the first to fall victim to such punishment this season. Evertonās Michael Keane was sent off for pulling the hair of Wolves striker Tolo Arokodare in January. But it felt harsh on the Argentinian, particularly on the long sliding scale of incidents that are deemed violent conduct and considering that Yoro had been caught by a flailing arm from Calvert-Lewin in the lead-up to Leedsā opening goal.
United lodged a formal complaint last month to the refereesā body, PGMOL, over what they claim were are a litany of mistakes made against them this season, including a couple of penalty controversies in their last outing against Bournemouth.
There will doubtless be a Manchester United inquest into the questionable decision to send off Lisandro Martinez for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewinās ponytail.
But it should probably run parallel to the probe into how Leeds, their bitter rivals, pulled Unitedās pants down so easily.
This was a night when Unitedās Champions League aspirations suffered a jolt and Leeds gave their hopes of avoiding relegation a huge shot in the arm with overwhelmingly their best away performance of the season.
It was Leedsā first league victory at Old Trafford since 1981, a richly deserved one at that, and their fans celebrated like you might when you have been forced to wait 45 years for a feeling so sweet, moving six points clear of the drop zone in the process.
But first, that hair pull. United were 2-0 down to Noah Okaforās goals after a shambolic first half ā comfortably the worst of Michael Carrickās reign ā when Martinez tugged on Calvert-Lewinās ponytail as the pair challenged for the ball. The United defender had initially grabbed hold of the back of Calvert-Lewinās shirt before his hand transferred to the Leeds strikerās hair. After a VAR review, the outcome was inevitable.
Martinez faces a possible three-game ban for this incident - Phil Noble/Reuters
The red card belatedly sparked a response and the irony was that United were far better with 10 men than they were with 11 as the game descended into chaos.
But after a sorry first-half showing, they ultimately gave themselves too much to do after the interval. Casemiro pulled a goal back when he headed home Bruno Fernandesā cross after Leeds had only partially cleared a corner and there was more drama five minutes from time.
First, Karl Darlow made a fine save to keep out a close-range header from Benjamin Sesko before Casemiro was denied by a superb goal-line headed clearance from Calvert-Lewin. What a night this was for the England striker, Okafor and Leeds generally. Calvert-Lewin had led the line magnificently and up until Martinezās dismissal at least, United could not live with Leedsā press, pace or urgency.
Carrick had stood with a finger to his pursed lips and an anxious look on his face for much of that period. His four changes ā a couple of which were enforced by suspension and injury, denying him the much-missed Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo respectively ā were the most he had made in a game since taking over in January.
Coupled with 24 days of inaction, the result was a listlessness that contrasted starkly with a sharp, hungry, highly organised and motivated Leeds. Daniel Farkeās side had not scored in their previous four league outings but they took the game to United from the outset and were rewarded for their bold, aggressive approach.
Victory at Old Trafford moves Leeds six points clear of the relegation zone - Dave Thompson/AP
Senne Lammens had already made a stunning reflex save from Calvert-Lewin by the time Okafor scored the first of his two goals. Carrick was unhappy that the Leeds striker got away with what he described as a āforearm smashā on Yoro. It was more of a leading, flailing arm and you wonder if Maguire had been on the pitch, whether he would have dealt better with Jayden Bogleās cross.
As it was, the ball glanced off the back of Yoroās head and into the path of Okafor to sweep home a first-time finish. United seemed both shocked by the intensity of Leedsā press and short of ideas on how to play through it.
At the same time, Leedsā excellent midfield pairing of Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu were able to break Unitedās lines too easily. In turn, it felt like Leeds were routinely overloading their opponents.
Some of Unitedās wounds were self-inflicted, but take nothing away from Leeds, who were first to almost everything. The second goal arrived shortly before the half-hour mark. Martinez played a risky pass to a flat-footed Casemiro on the edge of the penalty area with his back to goal. Ampadu charged in to intercept and squared it to Brenden Aaronson, whose shot was blocked. But United never cleared the danger and, after some aerial ping-pong, Okafor thrashed home a volley from 22 yards with the help of a sharp deflection off Yoro.
Harry Maguire was suspended against Leeds for his red card against Bournemouth, but could face an additional ban after being charged with improper conduct for his behaviour towards the fourth official after his dismissal at the Vitality Stadium. It means United could be without Maguire and Martinez for Saturdayās game at Chelsea.
āHopefully Licha is still available. I think certainly that it should be after that. But weāll see,ā Carrick added.
10:31pm
Michael Carrick has been speaking to Sky Sports and has criticised two decisions tonight. He felt Dominic Calvert-Lewin should have been punished for a foul on Leny Yoro just before Noah Okafor scored Leedsā opener and could not understand the red card given to Lisandro Martinez. He described that red as āone of the worst decisions he has ever seenā. The red card was very soft and it is rather ridiculous to give those but the referee had no choice but to send Martinez off by the letter of the law. You can disagree with the laws and they probably need to take a look at that law but the rules are the rules. Carrick did not seem to take much accountability for how terrible his side were for the first hour.
Here are Carrickās full quotes on the decisions he felt went against his side tonight:
āWe conceded, which came after Leny Yoro got a forearm smash in the back of his head. They did not decide to overturn that, which was a big moment in the game.
āI thought the boys stayed positive and fought for everything in the second half, after a shocking decision to send Licha [Martinez] off. That is two games in a row we have had those decisions go against us, but that one was one of the worst I have seen.
āYou can elbow Leny Yoro in the side of the head, a leading arm, obviously. Then you can throw your arm in Lichaās face and as he is off-balance because of that, he half touches the back of his hair which pulls the bobble out and leads it to look like, I do not even know what it looks like.
āIt is not a pull, it is not a tug, it is not aggressive, he touches it and gets sent off. Worst of all is he was sent to overturn it as a clear and obvious error. It is shocking.ā
10:28pm
10:27pm
April 18: Leeds vs Wolves (Premier League)
April 22: Bournemouth vs Leeds (Premier League)
April 26: Chelsea vs Leeds (FA Cup)
May 1: Leeds vs Burnley (Premier League)
May 11: Tottenham vs Leeds (Premier League)
10:25pm
10:23pm
10:22pm
āIt is a massive result for us. We knew that coming into the game. We came here to win, that is how we set up and we executed the game plan and came away with three points.
āIt is important we do not read too much into the external noise and we continue to focus on what is in front of us. It is easy to come here and make history, but it does not matter come the end of the season when the points tallies are in and that is all we are focused on.ā
On the red card for Lisandro Martinez:
āI do not make the rules at the end of the day. I thought my hair got pulled, I told the ref and he is the one that makes the decisions. Unfortunate for him. Whether he meant it or not, I do not hold grudges, but it is what it is.ā
Was this a red card or not? - Phil Noble/Reuters
10:19pm
10:17pm
āThey [Leeds] were absolutely fantastic. For the majority of this season they have been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League. They have been absolutely fantastic. We had the first game of the season, on Monday Night Football against Everton, some of the football they played was excellent.
āBut how they performed in the first half tonight will send a shiver down the spines of everyone in that relegation fight. They did not just hang on in a game like that, they absolutely bossed Manchester Utd in the first half.ā
Leeds were fully deserving of all three points tonight at Old Trafford - Michael Regan/Getty Images
10:15pm
April 18: Chelsea vs Manchester UnitedĀ
April 27: Manchester United vs Brentford
May 3: Manchester United vs Liverpool
May 9: Sunderland vs Manchester United
May 17: Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest
Michael Carrickās side remain in third but Aston Villa are only behind on goal difference and Liverpool are three points behind. Manchester United travel to sixth-placed Chelsea on Saturday before playing Liverpool at Old Trafford at the start of next month.
10:12pm
10:07pm
Friday:
West Ham 4 Wolves 0
Saturday:
Arsenal 1 Bournemouth 2
Brentford 2 Everton 2
Burnley 0 Brighton 2
Liverpool 2 Fulham 0
Sunday:
Crystal Palace 2 Newcastle 1
Nottingham Forest 1 Aston Villa 1
Sunderland 1 Tottenham 0
Chelsea 0 Manchester City 3
Tonight:
Manchester United 1 Leeds 2
10:04pm
āIt is a monumental night for Leeds. He [Daniel Farke] will have been nervous about the fact Leeds were perilously close to the relegation zone but this win goes a long way towards securing survival.
āIt is the most disappointing night for Michael Carrick since he took over. They will have to recover quickly with Chelsea coming up on Saturday. They never got going. Leeds fully deserved it over the course of the 90 minutes. They were the better team.ā
Leeds are now six points clear of the relegation zone - Martin Rickett/PA
09:59pm
Possession: Manchester United 52%-48% Leeds
Shots: 20-15
Shots on target: 9-6
Corners: 11-4
Touches in opposition box: 38-34
09:55pm
Nothing comes of the free-kick and there is the final whistle as Leeds secure a huge three points in their quest for survival. Okaforās double has secured the win for Daniel Farkeās side, who are now six points above the relegation zone. Farke sinks to his knees in pure joy.
For Manchester United, they stay in third but Aston Villa are only behind them now on goal difference and Liverpool are three points behind. Michael Carrickās men head into a huge match at Chelsea on Saturday.
09:54pm
Calvert-Lewin is penalised for a foul on Ugarte and Manchester United will have one final shot at an equaliser. Lammens has gone up...
09:54pm
Into the final added minute we go.
09:53pm
Yoro plays a cross beyond the back post, where Casemiro heads back across goal. Darlow does not deal with it well and Struijk puts it behind for a corner but the offside flag has gone up against Casemiro.
09:52pm
Cunha goes down just outside the Leeds penalty area, wanting a free-kick, but Ampadu looked to have got the ball. Three added minutes remain.
09:49pm
As we head into seven minutes of added time, Manchester United have a corner out on the left. It could have been a minute or two more. The corner is headed out to the edge of the box, where Dalot attempts an audacious finish but it sails into the stands.
09:47pm
There is probably going to be plenty of added time; I would be surprised if it was not at least seven minutes, so Leeds still have plenty of time to negotiate and Manchester United still have time to find an equaliser.
09:44pm
For a moment, it looked like Cunha was going to receive a second yellow but instead it is Ampadu, who like Cunha, is booked for simulation.
Leeds make a change as Longstaff replaces Aaronson.
09:43pm
Manchester United have not given up hope of getting something and they nearly get an equaliser. Mbeumo clips in a cross from the right which finds the head of Sesko, whose header is saved by Lammens.
From the subsequent corner, there is a mad scramble. Casemiro thinks he is going to get his second goal of the game but Calvert-Lewin heads away on his own line. Leeds just about clear their lines.
09:42pm
Leeds do need to be really careful here as they will kick themselves if they do not pick up all three points. A win tonight would be huge in their fight for survival and would probably nearly make them safe with six games to go. Manchester United have not given up hope of getting something from this game.
09:40pm
Leeds just need to show some composure here and they will win. Manchester United, with nothing to lose, are so open and more goals are there to be had for Leeds if they are clinical. They do not really want it to be a chaotic ending as that feels like the only way Manchester United will get something from this game.
09:38pm
Casemiroās cross from the right picks out Cunha, who chests it down before getting his shot away from the right side of the box but it is straight at Darlow.
09:36pm
Leeds have just wrestled back a little bit of control and momentum. Calvert-Lewin should probably put the game to bed as Bogle clips in a lovely cross. Calvert-Lewin has a free header from eight yards out but his header is straight at Lammens, who makes the save just on his own line. For the second time in the game, Calvert-Lewin spurns a great chance.
09:34pm
Leeds played very well for the first hour but ever since Manchester United went down to 10 men, Leeds have played like the ones down a man. Manchester United have played better since Martinezās red card.
09:33pm
This is a big final quarter of an hour or so at both ends of the table. Leeds would go six points clear of the relegation zone with a victory whilst Manchester United are looking to consolidate their position in third.
09:32pm
Daniel Farke is making a double change as Gruev and Gnonto replace Tanaka and Okafor.
09:29pm
Daniel Farke will be furious with his side. They have dominated for an hour, gone 2-0 up and have a man advantage. But they have allowed Manchester United back into this game over the last 10 minutes, with the game opening up and have now been punished.
Manchester United have made a double change as Mbuemo and Dalot have come on.
09:26pm Key moments ā¢ Goals ā¢ Video
The pressure from the hosts pays off. Fernandes is afforded far too much space out on the right to clip in a cross to the back post. Casemiro is in acres of space at the far post and heads into the far corner. It looked like a close call on offside but the goal stands. This game is still on.
09:26pm
Despite having a one-man advantage and a two-goal lead, Leeds are just having to cope with some pressure at the moment.
09:24pm
Leeds counter and they have the numbers forward but Bogle cannot take advantage. Cunha recovers well for the home side to prevent Bogle getting a shot away.
Manchester United the counter and Gudmundsson does really well to head away under pressure from Amad from behind.
This game is becoming quite open, which Daniel Farke will not be a massive fan of, he will want his side to establish control with a man advantage and a two-goal lead.
09:23pm
Fernandes has been booked for dissent.
Manchester United play the ball forward and Cunha gets his shot away from a narrow angle that nearly catches Darlow out but the Leeds keeper saves to his right.
09:22pm
What are your views on that Martinez red card? By the letter of the law and the way it is written, referee Paul Tierney probably had no option but to send Martinez off. However, it feels extremely harsh and the game has probably gone a touch soft. You can have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the blog.
Here is what has been said by the Premier League:
09:21pm Analysis
Gudmundsson drives forward from halfway and keeps going all the way into the Manchester United box before driving an effort across goal but it goes wide of teh far post.
Martinezās red card looked harsh to me. He had initially had hold of the top of Dominic Calvert-Lewinās shirt and then does pull the Leeds strikerās ponytailĀ but itās fleeting. Evertonās Michael Keane was sent off for pulling the hair of Wolvesā Tolu Arokodare in January. United have already complained to the refereesā chief Howard Webb about decisions they felt haveĀ gone against them this season and I canāt imagine Michael Carrick is happy about that one.
09:20pm
Michael Carrick was surely thinking of making changes at this point but have his thoughts now changed due to Martinezās red card. For the time being, Casemiro has dropped back into the heart of defence alongside Yoro.
09:18pm
Justin shoots from range and it takes a deflection off Yoro before spinning behind for a corner. The delivery is sent into a good area but Manchester United clear their lines.
09:15pm Key moments ā¢ Video
It is fairly cut and dry for the officials as there is a pull of the hair by Martinez on Calvert-Lewin. By the letter of the law it is a red card but it does seem fairly farcical that it is given as a sending off, considering the number of bad, reckless tackles that are not punished with red cards. Martinez does pull Calvert-Lewinās hair to some extent but not that much. It is a technical decision but the game has gone soft if you are giving those as red cards. Martinez, only just back from injury, is rather perplexed as he walks off, not knowing why he was sent off. Manchester Unitedās night goes from bad to worse.
09:12pm
VAR is checking for a possible hair pull by Martinez on Calvert-Lewin. Play is in fact stopped and referee Paul Tierney is sent to the monitor...
09:10pm
Manchester United have been a bit better since the break but you would think that Michael Carrick will be turning to his bench sooner rather than later.
09:07pm
Leeds counter and have numbers steaming forward. Shaw brings down Bogle and is booked. I think you would call that a professional foul.
Luke Shaw into the book - Martin Rickett/PA
09:06pm
It has been all Leeds in this game but Manchester United nearly reduce to the deficit to one. Sesko gets the better of his compatriot Bijol, putting it through the legs of the Leeds defender, before driving into the Leeds box. He gets his shot away but Darlow makes the save. The ball loops towards the Leeds goal but Justin clears near his own line.
09:05pm
Calvert-Lewin is jostling for the ball with Yoro as it bounces on the edge of the Manchester United penalty area. Calvert-Lewin goes down inside the box but the appeals are waved away.
09:03pm
Michael Carrick has decided not to make any changes at the break. It would have been interesting to be a fly-on-the-wall in the home dressing room at half-time. Carrick will surely not give it long before making alterations if nothing dramatically changes for his side.
We are back under way at Old Trafford.
08:59pm
āManchester Utd will be delighted it is only two. Leeds have been fantastic. Aggressive, passing it forward, good link-up play, you have got runners and energy. There is a lot of composure, United just turned up thinking they can win the game by turning up. Far from it.ā
How will Manchester United respond after a poor first-half showing? - Carl Recine/Getty Images
08:57pm
Surely Michael Carrick will make some changes at half-time after a pretty poor first-half performance from his side? Will the likes of Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo be brought on?
08:56pm
During half-time, you can read a couple of interviews that have been conducted by our very own Jason Burt and James Ducker. Both the Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and the suspended Harry Maguire have sat down with our experts.
08:51pm
Possession: Manchester United 55%-45% Leeds
Shots: 6-10
Shots on target: 2-5
Corners: 4-2
Touches in opposition box: 10-22
08:48pm Key moments
The whistle is met with a plethora of boos by the home fans as Leeds take a 2-0 lead into the break thanks to Okaforās double. Leeds should really be further ahead and could have buried this game by the break.
08:47pm Key moments ā¢ Video
Leeds should be 3-0 up but that is sensational defending from Martinez, who has just kept Manchester United in this game. Lammens plays a terrible pass to Yoro, whose pass forward from inside his own box is intercepted by Tanaka. The Japanese midfielder has a one-on-one chance with Lammens and takes it around the Manchester United keeper. Tanaka looks set to score from just a few yards out but somehow Martinez gets across to make a crucial block that has meant this game is not killed off before the break.
Struijk then has a free header from eight yards out saved by Lammens and he probably should have scored. Manchester United probably should be out of this game.
Two added minutes at the end of this first half.
08:41pm
Leeds are getting so much joy with their wing-backs, who are finding acres of space. Bogle is found on the right and clips in a ball in behind the Manchester United defence. The ball picks out the run of Calvert-Lewin, who is off balance as he makes contact with it but he cannot guide his header on target. It looked like he would have been onside but it was a tough one for Calvert-Lewin to get on target.
08:39pm
Justin is booked for a foul on Cunha but that feels like a slightly harsh decision. Cunha made sure he made the most of it as he rolled off the pitch.
08:38pm
Will Michael Carrick be thinking of a change before the break or will it leave him at half-time? If he does nothing, there is a chance things could get even worse for his side and Leeds could even extend their lead.
The two managers will be having very different thoughts right now - Carl Recine/Getty Images
08:36pm
Cunha is urged to shoot from range by the home fans and he obliges. The ball is always rising and goes over the bar. Cunha thought there was a deflection on the way but referee Paul Tierney does not agree.
08:33pm
Leeds can smell blood and there are not far from getting a third as Mazraoui, with Aaronson right behind him in the Manchester United six-yard box, cuts out a dangerous cross from Calvert-Lewin.
08:32pm
Mazraoui is tripped by Okafor not far outside the Leeds penalty area and it is a good position for Fernandes to whip it in. The Manchester United captain clips it in but there is far too much on it and the ball is easily caught by Darlow.
08:29pm Key moments ā¢ Goals ā¢ Video
Leeds double their advantage just before the half-hour mark and they fully deserve it. Manchester United are all over the place and they should have been punished moments before after giving away possession inside their own box. The ball falls to Okafor just outside the box and he strikes it on the volley. It takes a significant deflection off Yoro, who turned his back, and the ball spins into the far corner. The travelling Leeds fans are in dreamland.
08:29pm
Another decent opportunity for Leeds in this first half. Okafor drives inside from the left towards the Manchester United penalty and finds Bogle in space on th right side of the box. Bogle probably should take a shot first time but instead takes a touch before crossing. Calvert-Lewin attempts a flick that is blocked and then is unaware where the ball is. It is right by him but he does not know and the chance is gone.
08:24pm
Gudmundssonās crosses from the left are causing problems. The latest cross comes to Bogle beyond the far post and his ball across takes a deflection behind for a corner.
Tanakaās outswinger finds the head of Bijol on the penalty spot but the Slovenian cannot find the target with his header.
08:19pm
Amad is found in space out on the right and is allowed to drive inside. Just inside the Leeds penalty area, he cuts onto his preferred left foot and looks for the far corner but there is no whip on the shot and it ends up going a long way wide.
08:19pm
That is an excellent decision from referee Paul Tierney. Cunha goes down wanting a free-kick but instead is booked for diving. Watching the replays, that decision is spot-on as there was absolutely zero contact from Bijol on Cunha.
Matheus Cunha booked for simulation - Michael Regan/Getty Images
08:18pm
Another nervy moment for Manchester United as Gudmundssonās deflected cross goes into a dangerous area and Shaw does well to clear. Manchester United then counter and Sesko is one-on-one with his international teammate Bijol, who defends the situation well. Sesko never looked convinced.
08:16pm
Manchester United win the first corner of the night after Mazraouiās cross from the byline is blocked by Okafor. Yoro meets Fernandesā outswinger but the Frenchmanās header loops a long way over the bar.
08:12pm
Amad has Manchester Unitedās first effort of the night. Gudmundsson allows Amad to run off and make the run in behind. It appears that Amad may have just been onside and he has a curling effort from just outside the box, which Darlow saves down to his right.
08:07pm
Manchester United are all over the place as Lammens is forced into a hurried clearance right in front of his own goal under huge pressure.
08:04pm Key moments ā¢ Goals ā¢ Video
Calvert-Lewin spurned one great early chance but Okafor makes no mistake with his opportunity. Bogle sends in a dangerous cross from the right and Yoro, under pressure from Calvert-Lewin, does not get much distance on his header away. It falls at the feet of Okafor, who slots home first time with aplomb. Daniel Farkeās side have made a dream start and could even be 2-0 up inside five minutes.
08:02pm Key moments
Leeds should be ahead! Gudmundsson plays in a sensational ball from near the left touchline right across the six-yard box to lay it on a plate for Calvert-Lewin, who should slot home but instead his effort is saved by Lammens. It is a great reaction save from Lammens but Calvert-Lewin should not have given the Manchester United keeper a chance of saving it. Will Leeds come to rue that missed opportunity?
How did Dominic Calvert-Lewin miss? - Carl Recine/Getty Images
08:02pm
These two managers came up against each other last season in the championship, with Daniel Farkeās Leeds beating Michael Carrickās Middlesbrough in both fixtures.
08:00pm
We are under way at Old Trafford. Will Manchester United consolidate their position in the quest for Champions League football or will Leeds take a big step towards safety?
07:56pm
Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at Old Trafford. Here is a reminder of how the sides line up this evening:
Manchester United: Lammens, Mazraoui, Martinez, Fernandes, Cunha, Yoro, Amad, Casemiro, Shaw, Ugarte, Sesko.
Substitutes: Bayindir, Dalot, Mount, Zirkzee, Malacia, Mbeumo, Heaven, Fletcher, Lacey.
Leeds United: Darlow, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Struijk, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson, Bijol, Okafor, Tanaka, Justin.
Substitutes: Perri, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Bornauw, Byram, Gnonto, Buonanotte, Gruev.
07:52pm
āEvery win is good for confidence and mood. We picked up some injuries in the FA Cup but I trust the boys on the pitch today to be competitive.
āOver a long season you have ups and downs [in front of goal]. For a promoted side we have scored lots, created lots of chances. Yes, we could have been more effective in the box in some games. But we created many chances in the cup game, we want to continue this today. Parking the bus is not enough at Old Trafford, we need to be on the front foot. Creating chances and scoring is what we want to do.ā
āIf we win the game we can speak about this after [going six points clear of the relegation zone with a victory]. It is important to stay humble. We need a top performance, balance in all aspects, to make the most of this game. We have to show quality in both boxes. If we can, we have the chance to secure the points, but I do not want to celebrate before the game.ā
07:46pm
07:39pm
West Ham 2 Leeds 2 (FA Cup, Leeds won on penalties)
Leeds 0 Brentford 0 (Premier League)
Crystal Palace 0 Leeds 0 (Premier League)
Leeds 3 Norwich 0 (FA Cup)
Leeds 0 Sunderland 1 (Premier League)
07:36pm
07:32pm
Bournemouth 2 Manchester United 2
Manchester United 3 Aston Villa 1
Newcastle 2 Manchester United 1
Manchester United 2 Crystal Palace 2
Everton 0 Manchester United 1
07:29pm
Friday:
West Ham 4 Wolves 0
Saturday:
Arsenal 1 Bournemouth 2
Brentford 2 Everton 2
Burnley 0 Brighton 2
Liverpool 2 Fulham 0
Sunday:
Crystal Palace 2 Newcastle 1
Nottingham Forest 1 Aston Villa 1
Sunderland 1 Tottenham 0
Chelsea 0 Manchester City 3
Tonight:
Manchester United vs Leeds
07:25pm Analysis
Leeds have played twice since United last played and are coming off the back of that morale boosting FA Cup victory over West Ham that sent them into the semi-finals for the first time in 39 years. Theyāve won just twice in the Premier League this year but not away from home in the competition since beating Wolves in September. Daniel Farke has made four changes from the side that faced West Ham in the FA Cup last weekend with Darlow, Gudmundsson, Aaronson and Calvert-Lewin all coming in.
07:22pm
07:18pm Analysis
Carrick says Mainoo developed an issue in training in the last day or two that he thinks seems āsmallā but adamant it was not worth risking the England midfielder.
07:14pm
Manchester Unitedās vision specialist was blown away. She would put four shapes on a ledge and ask the player to detail which one was furthest forward. And every time he got it right. Even when she altered the positions, it did not matter. The answers were always correct.
Prof Gail Stephenson, who died in 2015, never forgot the midfielder with acute spatial awareness that she had first encountered at Old Trafford many years before, or those sessions with him.
āYour peripheral vision ā and perception of depth ā are amazing,ā Stephenson would tell him.
It is 20 years since that player signed for United and the irony is that he is now part of the team tasked with finally addressing what has effectively become a two-decade-long blind spot for English footballās biggest club.
07:09pm
Manchester United: Lammens, Mazraoui, Martinez, Fernandes, Cunha, Yoro, Amad, Casemiro, Shaw, Ugarte, Sesko.
Substitutes: Bayindir, Dalot, Mount, Zirkzee, Malacia, Mbeumo, Heaven, Fletcher, Lacey.
Leeds United: Darlow, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Struijk, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson, Bijol, Okafor, Tanaka, Justin.
Substitutes: Perri, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Bornauw, Byram, Gnonto, Buonanotte, Gruev.
07:05pm
āMan Utd are going along nicely. In the last few months, their home form has been excellent, changing the manager. Unitedās record against Leeds is excellent and of my experience going up against them, the beauty with Leeds is they will not park the bus.
āThey will be coming to have a go, competing. They are up against it and do not really look a goal threat recently. But they have got a lot of draws, a few wins. They will have a right go tonight, but you still think United with the form, the quality they have and the momentum, I think they will be too strong for Leeds.ā
07:00pm Analysis
Four changes from the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth 24 days ago for Manchester United. Harry Maguire is suspended following his red card at the Vitality Stadium but Kobbie Mainoo has not made the squad so Manuel Ugarte has been handed his first start under Michael Carrick. United have won only one of the nine previous games the Uruguay midfielder has started this season. Bryan Mbeumo and Diogo Dalot drop to the bench with Benjamin Sesko and Noussair Mazraoui handed starts. Lisandro Martinez is back after injury and partners Leny Yoro in defence.
06:56pm
With five places in next seasonās Champions League up for grabs, a win for Manchester United would put them in a strong position to claim one of those. Three points would put them 10 points ahead of Chelsea in sixth.
06:51pm
āIf they win tonight, [Champions League] is pretty much there for them. Manchester United under Michael Carrick have taken their chances; they have been consistent when previously they were not. This is a very different Manchester United and it has coincided with other teams struggling. Chelsea are struggling badly. Liverpool have had their issues. Aston Villa had their issues, but seem to have stabilised. It has been the perfect few months.
āIn some ways I feel sorry for Ruben Amorim, he is a young manager and very passionate about his job, but the biggest error of judgement he made at Old Trafford was Kobbie Mainoo in completely discarding him. From the moment Mainoo has come in under Carrick, alongside Casemiro, it has felt normal and he is back in the England squad. What a transformation.
āHarry Maguire is a solid professional, a good centre-back. I think there is a place for him at Manchester United. He is a good character. I think he should remain at the club but Man Utd do need strength in depth at centre-back and obviously in midfield in the summer.ā
06:46pm Key moments
06:45pm Key moments
06:43pm
We are about to find out the two starting XIs at Old Trafford...
06:40pm Key moments
The final match of this round of Premier League fixtures sees Manchester United host Leeds at Old Trafford. The reverse fixture at Elland Road in early January was the final game of Ruben Amorimās tenure at Manchester United. Brenden Aaronson gave Leeds the lead before Matheus Cunha quickly equalised, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw. The omens would appear to be on Manchester Unitedās side this evening; they are unbeaten in their last 18 home league games against Leeds.
Manchester United have not played in not far off a month, when they drew 2-2 at Bournemouth. Michael Carrickās side can consolidate their place in the top three and, with five places up for grabs for next seasonās Champions League, they could move 10 points clear of Chelsea in sixth.
āThere are parts of [what comes with being Manchester United manager], and I am not being blasĆ© when I say it, that I have known for so long,ā Carrick told Sky Sports. āThe pressure is something I have lived with for a long time. What is expected here, how to go about achieving things, the amount of support we have, and the scrutiny is something that becomes normal after a while. It does not feel as big as it probably looks from the outside for me personally.ā
Harry Maguire, who has just signed a contract extension at the club, is suspended having been sent off against Bournemouth. Maguireās fellow centre-back Lisandro Martinez could return from injury tonight. Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko are expected to be fit despite missing the recent international break. Matthijs de Ligt remains out.
Ruben Amorim left Manchester United following the reverse fixture at Elland Road - Chris Radburn/Reuters
Leeds come into this game off the back of booking their place in the FA Cup semi-finals having beaten West Ham in the quarter-finals.
āIt is a different competition, it does not help us in terms of points but there is no replacement for wins,ā Leeds boss Daniel Farke said. āIt is good to know that we struggled with set-backs in this game, with injuries, a couple of decisions and late goals against us, but still kept our nerves and dealt with set-backs. It is good for the mood and confidence for us.ā
The visitors begin the night in 15th, three points above the relegation zone. They do have a number of injury problems coming into this game. Farke has confirmed that Anton Stach, Joe Rodon and Daniel James will all miss out whilst Jaka Bijol, Noah Okafor and Gabriel Gundmundsson are doubts.
Team news to follow shortly.
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