LISANDRO MARTINEZ was sent off on his return from injury as Leeds beat Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time in the league in 45 years.
Michael Carrick‘s side missed out on the chance to go three points clear of Aston Villa in the Champions League race as a motivated Leeds outfit moved closer to Premier League safety.
Two goals from Noah Okafor gave Daniel Farke’s team a well deserved lead inside 30 minutes as United showed the worst of themselves for the first time under Carrick.
Casemiro’s 69th minute header turned the tide of the game as United piled the pressure on and Dominic Calvert-Lewin cleared a chance off the line late-on.
Martinez’s red card is compounded by the fact that Harry Maguire is facing an extended ban following his dismissal at Bournemouth.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the United players as the Red Devils were booed at home.
Senne Lammens – 5
Excellent save with his feet to deny Calvert-Lewin inside 90 seconds but he could not have done much about either the close range punt or deflected effort.
The Belgian got an earful from Bruno Fernandes for his nervy distribution. He was left vulnerable by United’s makeshift backline.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
The full-back showed glimpses of his better games of last season, but was sloppy in other moments.
In his first match since limping off at Newcastle, the Morocco international was decent down the right and tried to make things happen.
Lisandro Martinez – 4
A dismal return after a much anticipated wait.
The Argentine’s sloppiness at the back and naive red card for pulling Calvert-Lewin’s hair summed up a horror evening.
The Butcher mindlessly passed the ball to Casemiro on the edge of the box and headed the ball upward into the air in the lead up to the opener.
Slightly made up for it with a last ditch block to deny Leeds a third before half-time but with Harry Maguire facing an extended ban United’s European push could be derailed.
Leny Yoro – 4
A really disappointing night for the 20-year-old. United dearly missed Harry Maguire’s physical presence in both boxes as Yoro was bullied by Calvert-Lewin throughout.
Yoro was too weak in the air with Calvert-Lewin as the ball clipped down into the path of Okafor for his opener and his distribution caused United untold problems. His lack of physicality is glaring.
Luke Shaw – 6
The best of a bad bunch. He was strong in some moments like his cross field switch of play but nothing to write home about.
The former England left-back took one for the team with a booking for a tug on Jayden Boyle, who was superb.
Casemiro – 6
The Brazilian struggled as much as Ugarte as he was beaten to the ball in the lead up to Okafor’s second and was slow and rugged in his attempts to win possession back.
But the 34-year-old stood up after Martinez’s dismissal and scored his eighth goal of the campaign to give Old Trafford hope and improved in the second-half.
Manuel Ugarte – 3
It took a few minutes for the home crowd to start getting agitated with Ugarte, who only started due to Kobbie Mainoo‘s minor injury.
It is almost a sad spectacle to see how much he suffered out there. He can only hope for a move elsewhere to start fresh in the summer.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
The playmaker bagged his 17th assist of the season and took risks but was could not take control of proceedings and grew increasingly frustrated.
The United skipper turned up the style in the second-half and tried to make things happen.
Matheus Cunha – 4
An extremely difficult night for Brazil star, who was booked for simulation inside 18 minutes and could not complete a pass for love nor money in the first-half.
Cunha did get back and defend resolutely throughout, including an important interception when Leeds were through on goal after the break.
Amad – 5
The Ivory Coast forward into great positions down the right but his end product lacked the finesse and power to be United’s starting winger.
He was subbed off in the 69th minute and perhaps should have been replaced by Bryan Mbeumo sooner.
Benjamin Sesko – 5
Perhaps Sesko is better as a super-sub after all. The Slovenian was another player who struggled to influence proceedings.
He should have used his height better and was way off it.
SUBS
Bryan Mbeumo (for Amad, 69) – 6
Had a positive impact as United piled the pressure on. One of his best showings of late.
Diogo Dalot (for Mazraoui, 69 ) – 5
Blazed a shot over from distance.