In the face of taunts from spectators on Wednesday, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho responded in style, with both scoring in a rousing second-half comeback as Manchester United rallied to salvage a 2-2 Premier League draw against Leeds United.
“You let your country down,” fans chanted in the away section at Old Trafford, bringing back painful memories of the United forwards’ penalty misses in England’s UEFA Euro 2020 final shoot-out defeat against Italy.
However, by the end of the game Rashford had scored his 20th goal of the season in all competitions to start United’s comeback and Sancho had equalized to mark his return to the team.
Photo: AFP
Sancho’s effort was significant after he was given time off earlier this season in a bid to reignite his career.
“I am really happy he is in the right direction, I hope he can keep his momentum going, and I am sure it will strengthen him and motivate him even more,” United manager Erik ten Hag said. “He is a brilliant footballer and if he can invest in the right levels he can be outstanding.”
With United facing a shock loss to relegation-fighting Leeds after going 2-0 down early in the second half, Sancho was given his chance to make an impact and did not disappoint with a clinical finish to salvage a draw.
Photo: AP
“I wanted a different dynamic. In that moment we weren’t in the game. Luckily it succeeded because we scored two goals,” Ten Hag said. “He’s all the way back. We know he’s a magnificent player. I think consistently he can have a big impact.”
As rousing as United’s comeback was, it could not shake the sense that their title ambitions had been dealt a blow.
Leeds, without a manager following the firing of Jesse Marsch on Monday and struggling for survival in the top flight, went close to consigning Manchester United to a first home defeat in the league since the opening day of the season after Wilfried Gnonto struck just 55 seconds into the match and Raphael Varane put the ball into his own net early in the second half.
Rashford and Sancho rescued a point, but Manchester United remain seven off leaders Arsenal, having played two games more.
“Mixed feelings. Of course in the end we were happy to win a point, but we dropped two points,” Ten Hag said. “It’s a very bad start, unacceptable, especially in a derby you have to be ready to battle and take responsibility. We didn’t do that.”
In the FA Cup, Fulham booked a place in the fifth round with a 3-2 win in their replay against Sunderland.
Harry Wilson and Andreas Pereira put the Premier League club in control, but Jack Clarke pulled one back for the home team.
Layvin Kurzawa made it 3-1 before Jewison Bennette struck for second-tier Sunderland.
Fulham face Leeds in the next round.
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