Manchester United vs. Leeds score, stats, talking points, highlights as Okafor has visitors up in Premier League match

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Manchester United vs. Leeds score, stats, talking points, highlights as Okafor has visitors up in Premier League match originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Manchester United continue their push up the Premier League table under Michael Carrick as they host Leeds United in a return to domestic action after a long layoff.

The Red Devils have not taken the field since March 20, when they drew with Bournemouth, as they have been able to rest and recover for nearly a month thanks to the March international break and subsequent FA Cup fixtures.

United sit third in the Premier League standings, level with Aston Villa on points but ahead on goal differential, as they have lost just one of their last four matches under Carrick's leadership. This has led to questions about the former United midfielder's long-term viability as a candidate for the permanent managerial role, although the lack of consistent fixtures has also given him a leg up that may not be available next season should they go on to secure European football. 

The Sporting News is following the Man United vs. Leeds match live, providing score updates, commentary, and analysis.

Man United vs. Leeds live score

Location: Old Trafford (Manchester, England)
Referee: Paul Tierney

Keep track of every game and every goal via SN's live Premier League scoreboard

Starting lineups:

Man United (4-2-3-1, right to left): 31. Lammens (GK) — 3. Mazraoui, 15. Yoro, 6. L. Martinez, 23. Shaw — 18. Casemiro, 25. Ugarte — 16. Diallo, 8. Fernandes, 10. Cunha — 30. Sesko.

Leeds United (3-4-2-1, right to left): 26. Darlow (GK) — 24. Justin, 15. Bijol, 5. Struijk — 2. Bogle, 22. Tanaka, 4. Ampadu, 3. Gudmundsson — 11. Aaronson, 19. Okafor — 9. Calvert-Lewin.

MORE:An up-to-date list of the Premier League top goal scorers for the 2025/26 season

Man United vs. Leeds key moments

HALFTIME: Man United 0-2 Leeds United

What a 45 minutes that was! Leeds were completely and fully the better side, as they have come to play while Man United haven't even gotten off the bus!

United were sloppy, messy, and poor while Leeds were clinical, incisive, and aggressive! A brilliant 45 minutes for Leeds, who have not won at Old Trafford in 45 years! Can they close out the win?

45th min: Chance, Leeds! WHAT A GAME-SAVING CHALLENGE BY LISANDRO MARTINEZ! WOW!

Man United are all over the place in possession, and they give it away in their own third as Ao Tanaka snatches away a poor central pass. He then rounds the goalkeeper Senne Lammens and has a wide open goal to shoot at, but out of nowhere comes Lisandro Martinez flying in to make the sliding block right on the goal mouth! That has saved a goal and kept the scoreline within reach!

29th min: GOAL! LEEDS! NOAH OKAFOR AGAIN! The goal comes thanks in large part to a big deflection, but it's fully deserved for Leeds who have been the better side!

Manchester United want a foul as Bruno Fernandes is dispossessed in midfield, but the referee doesn't give it, and Leeds are off and running. The visitors pummel United with a host of scoring chances in quick succession, and finally Okafor rips a volley from the top of the penalty area which catches Lenny Yoro in the chest and skips past Senne Lammens inside the far post!

Watch Leeds goal in USA:

HIGHLIGHT:Watch Leeds second goal in UK

5th min: GOAL! LEEDS! NOAH OKAFOR OPENS THE SCORING! Just a minute after Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a massive chance saved, Okafor reacts first to Lenny Yoro's contested clearance and pokes it past Senne Lammens!

Leeds have started the better side, and they've got a nearly instant profit from it!

Watch Leeds goal in USA:

HIGHLIGHT:Watch Leeds United goal in UK

Kickoff: The match is under way in northern England! A big rivalry match in the Champions League qualification race — and the relegation battle, for that matter — is under way! 

Lineups: The starting XI has been submitted for both sides!

For Man United, Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martinez both return from injury to start the match, while Kobbie Mainoo does not appear in the lineup, with Manuel Ugarte in midfield instead. Diogo Dalot misses out due to illness, with Noussair Mazraoui starting at right-back.

For Leeds, there are no surprises whatsoever, with the only new face being Noah Okafor coming in while Ilia Gruev takes a seat.

Prematch: The race for Champions League places is officially on for Manchester United. They sit third in the table, ahead of Aston Villa only on goal differential, while sporting a three-point gap to fifth-placed Liverpool in the final UCL qualifying place.

Chelsea are in sixth with 48 points, having lost four of their last five but always a dangerous side to make a run, while Brentford are in seventh just a point back of that. It's a crowded chase, so points will be valued highly in every one of United's last seven matches of the season!

Man United vs. Leeds talking points, analysis

Following the game, this section will be updated with analysis of the Man United vs. Leeds match.

Man United vs. Leeds reaction

Following the game, this section will be updated with post-match reaction from Michael Carrick and Daniel Farke.

Man United vs. Leeds team news

Man United team news

MORE:An in-depth rundown of all the latest Man United team news and injuries

  • Benjamin Sesko withdrew from international duty with Slovenia, but he is expected to return for this match. The same is true for Bryan Mbeumo who missed out on March international matches with Cameroon.
  • It is expected that Lisandro Martinez will return from his calf injury in this game, although he's unlikely to be ready to start after having missed six matches.
  • Harry Maguire is suspended for this match after being sent off last time out for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity.

Leeds team news

  • Noah Okafor and Jaka Bijol are both doubts for today's game, but could still make the squad as they are both carrying knocks.
  • Those absent for today's match include Anton StachJoe Rodon, and Daniel James, as the former two deal with ankle injuries while James has a muscle problem. All three are expected to miss at least two more weeks.

Man United vs. Leeds upcoming schedules

Man United upcoming fixtures

DateCompetitionMatchLocationSat, Apr. 18Premier LeagueChelsea vs. Man UnitedStamford Bridge (London, England)Mon, Apr. 27Premier LeagueMan United vs. BrentfordOld Trafford (Manchester, England)Sun, May 3Premier LeagueMan United vs. LiverpoolOld Trafford (Manchester, England)

Leeds United upcoming fixtures

DateCompetitionMatchLocationSat, Apr. 18Premier LeagueLeeds United vs. WolvesElland Road (Leeds, England)Wed, Apr. 22Premier LeagueBournemouth vs. Leeds UnitedVitality Stadium (Bournemouth, England)Sun, Apr. 26Premier LeagueChelsea vs. Leeds UnitedStamford Bridge (London, England)

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