Manchester United experienced despair against Leeds. What matters most is what happens next

Manchester United returned from a three-week footballing hibernation, working within an (injury-related) uneven structure, a few players short of their strongest XI. They ran into a clenched fist belonging to an angry footballing beast and were confused as to how best to fight back. Monday night’s meeting with Leeds United was the sort of banana skin that makes many a football manager take pause. At home against a historic rival who relish playing as the underdog and were eager to earn some separation between themselves and the relegation zone, Leeds’ travelling fans fed into a bear pit atmosphere at Old Trafford.Advertisement