Michael Carrick
Credit: Imago
Leeds United pulled off a massive win at Old Trafford, beating Manchester United 2-1 to open up a six-point cushion above the relegation zone.
It was their first league victory at the ground in more than 45 years, and it could be a huge step towards securing their Premier League status.
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Noah Okafor was the star of the show, scoring twice in a first half where Leeds were well on top and arguably should have had more.
Things got worse for United after Lisandro Martinez was sent off for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s ponytail, and while Casemiro did pull a goal back, Leeds managed to see it out and take all three points.
Michael Carrick blames the referee for Manchester United’s defeat to Leeds
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick was left fuming by the referee’s performance and insisted Leeds’ first goal should not have stood because of a foul on Leny Yoro.
He slammed Paul Tierney for sending off Lisandro Martinez and insisted that he can’t remember a more shocking decision from a referee.
Carrick said on Sky Sports: “We didn’t start the game particularly well. Leny Yoro gets a forearm smash to the back of his head, and they score the first goal.
“Didn’t decide to overturn that decision, so that was a big moment in the game.
“It was a shocking, shocking decision to send Licha off, two games in a row where we’ve had decisions like that go against us, but that was one of the worst I’ve seen.
“You can elbow Yoro in the head, and you can have your arm in Licha’s face, and because he’s off balance, he touches the back of his hair, which pulls the bobble out.
“It’s not aggressive, he touches it and gets sent off, it’s shocking.”
Leeds are within touching distance of safety
That victory at Old Trafford could be huge in more ways than one, as it opened up a six-point gap between Leeds and Tottenham in the relegation zone.
With just six games left and Spurs still searching for their first league win of the year, that cushion suddenly feels pretty comfortable.
Leeds also have a kind run-in against Wolves, Burnley and Tottenham, making it hard to imagine them dropping into the bottom three from here.
In truth, one more win should all but seal their survival, and on current form, you’d back them to get it.