Edwin van der Sar has now pinpointed the major differences between Manchester United’s first-half performance and second-half display under Michael Carrick against Leeds United.
Leeds United put rivals Manchester United on the back foot on Monday evening after Daniel Farke’s men took a 2-0 Premier League lead into half-time at Old Trafford.
Noah Okafor inflicted the first blow from Leeds in the fifth minute of the Premier League match before completing his brace inside the opening 30 minutes.
Man Utd faced an uphill battle against Leeds and the pressure was placed on Michael Carrick to find a solution for the Red Devils to mount a comeback in the second half.
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Michael Carrick talks to Steve Holland during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
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Edwin van der Sar says Lisandro Martinez’s sending off breathed life into Man Utd’s performance against Leeds United
Edwin van der Sar was not sold on a lacklustre first-half display from Manchester United after spotlighting the Red Devils’ vulnerable defence against Leeds United.
“First half was not that interesting to watch, too many defensive errors,” he said on Premier League Productions, as per the Premier League’s official website.
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United suffered another setback in the second half after Lisandro Martinez was controversially sent off for his hair pull on Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Despite being reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute, United legend Van der Sar felt that Lisandro Martinez’s red card was a catalyst moment for the Red Devils’ fight-back.
“Second half, after the sending off of Martinez, a bit of a fight came into Man Utd,” he added.
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Edwin van der Sar on the impact of Casemiro in the second half for Man Utd and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s key Leeds moment
Man Utd pulled one back in the 69th minute, as Casemiro powered a thumping header from the back post after being picked out by Bruno Fernandes’ cross.
The former Real Madrid midfielder came close to netting a brace and an all-important equaliser after connecting with a Bruno Fernandes corner-kick.
However, Casemiro was denied a second on the night after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s superb clearance off the line kept Leeds in the lead over United at Old Trafford.
Speaking on Casemiro and Calvert-Lewin, Van der Sar said: “Created some chances, Casemiro, we’ve seen all those years he’s strong with his head, one cleared off the line by Calvert-Lewin doing his defensive work.
“It became a close game.”
Leeds secured all three Premier League points in a major boost to their relegation survival, while Man Utd suffered a setback in their race for a top-four finish.
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