Man United vs Leeds United live score, updates, highlights from Premier League as Gnonto gets early goal

Manchester United were already preparing for the unusual task of facing Leeds United twice within a week, both in Premier League play, and now that job has become even more complicated.

Leeds oddly sacked Jesse Marsch following a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last time out, meaning the American was axed just days after the club spent millions in the transfer window on players that fit his unique style of play.

While the club has not yet identified his replacement, a managerial shakeup always makes things more unusual for the upcoming opponent, and it will be interesting to see how United handle the task. The Red Devils are dealing with their own shakeup as well, as the suspended Casemiro will likely be replaced by new signing Marcel Sabitzer in midfield.

Leeds sit 17th in the Premier League table, without a league win since October and above the relegation zone only on goal difference. Yet their underlying numbers favor a return to form eventually, and if they can continue creating goalscoring chances, they can trouble a Man United side missing some key pieces.

MORE: Why was Jesse Marsch sacked by Leeds United? Some things don’t quite add up

The Sporting News will be following the match live and providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

Man United vs Leeds United live score

Goals:
1st min — LEE — Wilfried Gnonto

Confirmed lineups:

Man United (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. De Gea (GK) — 20. Dalot, 19. Varane, 6. L. Martinez, 23. Shaw — 17. Fred, 15. Sabitzer — 49. Garnacho, 8. Fernandes, 10. Rashford — 27. Weghorst.

Leeds United (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Meslier (GK) — 2. Ayling, 39. Wober, 5. Koch, 21. Struijk (Firpo, 23′) — 28. Adams, 12. McKennie — 23. Sinisterra (Summerville, 8′), 11. Harrison, 29. Gnonto — 9. Bamford.

Man United vs Leeds United live updates, highlights, commentary

Man United vs Leeds United: First half

27th min: Chance, Man United! HEADED OFF THE LINE! Man United get Alejandro Garnacho in on goal which forces Iller Meslier off his line to contest, and while he doesn’t do enough to halt the chance, he gets just enough to give his defence an extra moment. That was all Luke Ayling needed to get on the goal mouth and head the eventual shot clear, on what otherwise was a wide open goal! How have Leeds gotten away with that???

20th min: Ouchhhhh. Pascal Struijk is walloped by a blistering Marcus Rashford shot right in the face. He’s down for some time on his stomach receiving treatment. He’s finally up on his knees and receives the concussion test from the physios. This has put a momentary lid on what was a track meet.

Struijk ultimately has to be replaced, the second Leeds player to go off injured in the opening half-hour. Junior Firpo comes in and takes over at full-back.

Leeds forced into two changes inside 23 minutes. Junior Firpo on for Struijk, imagine that will be a concussion sub. Took a fierce Rashford shot straight in the face. Summerville already on for Sinisterra #mufc

— Tyrone Marshall (@TyMarshall_MEN) February 8, 2023

17th min: Chance, Man United! This continues to be played at 100 miles per hour, and Alejandro Garnacho misses by a HAIR! On a three-on-two break, a Bruno Fernandes cross finds Garnacho in acres of space, and rips it hard and low, with a shot that beats Illan Meslier but beats the post! SO close, he should score that one.

Chance- should be 1-1. Fernandes with a cross to the back stick where Garnacho shoots wide with only Meslier to beat. Crowd thought that was in. 0-1 on 18 mins. #lufc

— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) February 8, 2023

14th min: Chance, Man United! Oh WHAT a debut goal that would have been for Marcel Szbitzer! He crops up on the penalty spot and rifles a vicious scissor volley with space to shoot, but he’s challenged enough by Pascal Struijk and fires it over the crossbar. That was a good look!

11th min: Chance, Leeds! The visitors play a short corner and it’s sent into the mixer from deep. The ball deflects off a number of players challenging in the air, and falls right to Pascal Struijk at the far post who’s unmarked, but it surprised him off the deflection and he fails to control the ball off his chest. So close!

9th min: Leeds are taking this game right to Manchester United. Jack Harrison picks out Patrick Bamford in a very dangerous area in the penalty area, but he can’t receive the ball cleanly and trips with his back to goal, which allows Luke Shaw to recover and defend. This game is being played at breakneck speed, which suits Leeds.

Leeds are playing Marsch ball without Marsch and it’s tearing Man United to shreds.

The sacking remains nonsensical. This is what he’s been trying to do for months.

— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) February 8, 2023

6th min: Leeds are flying high but there’s a problem for Luis Sinisterra who is down with what appears to be a hamstring injury. He slowly walks off in serious pain as Leeds ready a substitute. Instead of Brenden Aaronson coming on, it’s Crysencio Summerville to take the spot out wide.

1st min: GOAL! LEEDS UNITED! WHAT A START TO THIS MATCH, LEEDS LEAD AT OLD TRAFFORD! It’s the young 19-year-old Wilfried Gnonto! Leeds press very high and win the ball through debutant Weston McKennie, and Gnonto lets it fly at the top of the penalty area, producing a stunning finish to stun the home crowd just seconds into the match! The goal stands after a brief VAR review for offside, and replay shows the decision was VERY tight but a legal play.

Wilfried Gnonto hit Marcus Rashford’s celebration after taking the lead at Old Trafford 👀 pic.twitter.com/0GJxQ3Zl8P

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 8, 2023

Watch in the USA:

LEEDS UNITED TAKE THE LEAD OVER MANCHESTER UNITED WITHIN THE FIRST MINUTE OF THE MATCH!

📺: @USANetwork #MyPLMorning | #MUNLEE pic.twitter.com/L08J41CdAI

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 8, 2023

Watch in Australia:

WILFRIED GNONTO GIVES LEEDS A SHOCK EARLY LEAD AT OLD TRAFFORD 😱

Just 56 seconds on the clock and the 19-year-old smashes it past David de Gea.

This boy is a star!

Watch LIVE | https://t.co/IJIdYkZcVI#PL #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/AJReNBWxZo

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) February 8, 2023

Kickoff: The match is under way at Old Trafford! This old rivalry matchup is renewed for the first of two quickfire matches within four days. This fixture was meant for November but was postponed due to the queen’s passing.

Man United vs Leeds United: Pre-match commentary, team news, analysis, more

5 mins to kick: Today is a massive opportunity for Weston McKennie to come in and not only impress on a personal level, but play next to a good friend and international teammate, and to help save a club from relegation. It’s quite the ask on his Premier League debut against a very strong opponent in a hostile environment, though.

🤩 First #LUFC start! @WMckennie pic.twitter.com/OHr4r8MJbM

— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 8, 2023

17 mins to kick: Leeds United will move on from Jesse Marsch, and the results certainly warranted an extended review, but there’s a very legitimate argument to make that the timing of the decision to sack the American made little to no sense.

The club had just spent tens of millions in the transfer window on players who very clearly fit Marsch’s unique high-pressing style of play. Additionally, the underlying metrics suggested that an upwards correction was due for the club thanks to some poor finishing which isn’t exactly something the manager can change. I wrote about the odd timing of the decision at the link below, and the NBC crew in the United States discussed the change prior to the match.

MORE: Why was Jesse Marsch sacked by Leeds United? Some things don’t quite add up

Was it too soon for Leeds United to fire Jesse Marsch?

📺: @USANetwork #MyPLMorning | #LUFC pic.twitter.com/2jQ8ulILKd

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 8, 2023

30 mins to kick: New Manchester United midfielder Marcel Sabitzer may be one of the sneakiest signings of the winter transfer window, having essentially fallen into an upgrade accidentally. United only found a need for a new midfielder after Christian Eriksen went down injured for months near the end of January, and managed to bring over an excellent replacement from Bayern Munich.

Even Bayern striker Thomas Muller was surprised the German side let his teammate go. “The team was surprised. It happened very quickly,’ Muller told German publication Kicker. “I’m happy for Sabi that he’s moving to Manchester United, getting a chance to play there. Manchester is a huge name.”

Do we all agree w/ Muller? 🤔🤔🤔

He feels Sabitzer still might have a future at FC Bayern… pic.twitter.com/mLJ8V5OgmK

— Bavarian Football Works (@BavarianFBWorks) February 7, 2023

48 mins to kick: Looks like an illness has gone around the Manchester United dressing room, which is why Aaron Wan-Bissaka misses out today. Handy that Diogo Dalot is ready to slot back in. Jadon Sancho also missing out due to his illness, although he’s able to make the bench after being sidelined over the weekend.

Wan-Bissaka is ill. Sancho was ill at the weekend and not considered ready to start tonight #mufc #lufc

— James Ducker (@TelegraphDucker) February 8, 2023

60 mins to kick: The lineups are in. There’s only one surprise for the Red Devils, as Diogo Dalot comes in at right-back for the in-form Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with the latter not even in the squad and no immediate reason given. Dalot has been injured for some time, and Wan-Bissaka was exceptional in his place. Yet it appears that Dalot may get a chance to earn his spot back. Both will surely still see time given the upcoming fixture congestion with European play returning in a few weeks.

For Leeds, it’s a mixed bag for USMNT fans who are newly on board with the American influx at the club. Weston McKennie makes his first start for Leeds alongside his buddy Tyler Adams in midfield, after coming off the bench for his debut against Nottingham Forest last time out. However, Brenden Aaronson sits for the second straight match, a worrying sign for the wide man after he’d started every Premier League game for the club prior to sitting against Forest.

USMNT’s Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams start for Leeds against Man Utd. 🇺🇸

It is McKennie’s first start for his new club. 💫 pic.twitter.com/ezUVwoLet4

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 8, 2023

72 mins to kick: As rumors of a Manchester United sale continue to swirl, just now the Press Association has reported that the rumored Qatari entity involved in takeover discussions is indeed Qatari Sports Investments (QSI), the owners of PSG. Yet the report states they are keeping their options open and have no interest in a majority takeover of Manchester United.

PA understands Qatari Sports Investments (QSI) is the Qatari group interested in Manchester United, but that they are also looking at other Premier League clubs and are only considering a minority stake, purchased alongside a consortium of international investors. 1/2 #MUFC

— Jamie Gardner (@PAJamieGardner) February 8, 2023

90 mins to kick: Bruno Fernandes is a beast against Leeds United. His eight goal involvements in four games represent nearly 12 percent of his career Premier League goal involvements (and nearly 15 percent of his goals!) thus far in his time with Manchester United. He scored a hat-trick the last time Leeds visited Old Trafford.

💪 Bruno Fernandes saves his 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 form for Leeds#MUFC #MUNLEE pic.twitter.com/OwZJNKcPbO

— talkSPORT EDGE (@talkSPORTEDGE) February 8, 2023

103 mins to kick: Oops! Looks l like Jesse Marsch’s sacking was a little late for Manchester United to reprint all their matchday programs! 😂

Jesse Marsch’s sacking defeated the United Review’s deadline #mufc pic.twitter.com/HEtDVhM62L

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) February 8, 2023

120 mins to kick: Instead of naming a sole caretaker manager in the wake of the Jesse Marsch dismissal, Leeds have decided to go with the three-team approach. Assistants Michael Skubala, Paco Gallardo, and Chris Armas will share the duties against Manchester United today.

40-year-old Skubala joined the team in the summer as under-21 head coach, having previously been working for the English FA. Gallardo, a former Spain youth international, joined Leeds in 2021 after spending numerous years coaching in Sevilla’s youth system. Armas, an American like Marsch, only joined the club a few weeks ago, having spent time on Ralf Rangnick’s staff at Manchester United after years coaching in Major League Soccer.

📰 Michael Skubala, Paco Gallardo and Chris Armas will take charge of Wednesday’s Premier League fixture against Manchester United

— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 6, 2023

Man United vs Leeds United lineups & team news

Ten Hag’s injury list continues to grow at Old Trafford with the Dutch boss confirming Antony, Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial are all ruled out of this match. Antony’s absence gives room for one of the young wingers to start, and it’s Alejandro Garnacho who gets the nod over Facundo Pellistri.

Brazil international Casemiro is suspended, as he begins a three-match ban after being sent off against Crystal Palace, with Marcel Sabitzer potentially coming in for his first Premier League start.

Diogo Dalot makes his return from injury, slotting in at right-back for Aaron Wan-Bissaka who filled in admirably while Dalot was sidelined.

Man United confirmed starting lineup (4-2-3-1): David de Gea (GK) — Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw — Fred, Marcel Sabitzer — Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford — Wout Weghorst.

Man United subs (9): Heaton (GK), Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia, Mainoo, Pellistri, Iqbal, Elanga, Sancho.

🥁 Presenting your United XI to take on Leeds! 👊

➖ Sabi makes his first start
➖ @B_Fernandes8 takes the armband
➖ @AGarnacho7 starts on the wing#MUFC || #MUNLEE

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 8, 2023

Leeds are likely to be without Spain international Rodrigo Moreno until at least April, but Robin Koch is set to return from a ban, with USA international Weston McKennie pushing to start.

It remains to be seen whether winger Brenden Aaronson can find his way back into the starting lineup now that there’s been a change in management. He was sat for the first time this season against Nottingham Forest last time out, left on the bench as an unused substitute after starting every single league match to that point. He has competition from summer signing Luis Sinisterra and 19-year-old Wilfried Gnonto.

Max Wober starts at centre-back for the third straight game after joining mid-January, another player who profiles to Jesse Marsch’s style, making the managerial change all the more confusing.

Leeds United confirmed starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Illan Meslier (GK) — Luke Ayling, Max Wober, Robin Koch, Pascal Struijk — Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie — Luis Sinisterra, Jack Harrison, Wilfried Gnonto — Patrick Bamford.

Leeds United subs (9): Robles (GK), Firpo, Kristensen, Gyabi, Greenwood, Aaronson, Summerville, Joseph, Georginio.

📋 Your Starting XI to face Man United… pic.twitter.com/I9bA5mFvaA

— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 8, 2023

How to watch Man United vs Leeds United

Here’s how to watch all of the action from this match in some of the major territories:

UK: This game will not be broadcast live in the UK due to not being previously selected as a televised match by either Sky Sports or BT Sport.

USA: This match is available live via NBC’s USA Network platform for subscribers in both English and Spanish.

Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live streaming exclusively via fuboTV in Canada.

Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on demand on Optus Sport. 

India: Star Sports network has the rights to show Premier League matches in India. As well as an English broadcast on Star Sports Select, select matches will be available via regional feeds on Star Sports 3 (in Bengali, English, Kannada, Malayalam), Star Sports 1 (Bangla) and Star Sports 1 (Tamil).

Man United vs Leeds United betting odds & lines

Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Neds (Australia).

Manchester United are heavy favourites to pile on the misery of Leeds United in the wake of Jesse Marsch’s dismissal, saddled with nearly 1/2 odds on the moneyline.

In fact, they’re expected to win by a significant margin, as oddsmakers think they’ll hit the 2.5 goal total all on their own. The over is a huge favorite, while both teams to score is a slight underdog, meaning the books believe that United could put three past Leeds in this match.

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