Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford rescued Manchester United in a lively 2-2 draw with Leeds United at Old Trafford, denying the managerless visitors a famous win with a second-half fightback.

United knew a win would move them level with second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League table, but Wilfried Gnonto stunned the Red Devils by firing Leeds ahead inside one minute.

Raphael Varane's own goal then gave United a mountain to climb, but in-form forward Rashford gave them hope with a fine header, setting up a grandstand finish.

Sancho – who recently returned to the fold after a period of absence – levelled things up as a second-half substitute, before United failed to force a winner in a captivating finish. 

Leeds came flying out of the traps and scored after 55 seconds as Gnonto drilled into the bottom-left corner following a give-and-go with Patrick Bamford.

The hosts then laid siege to Leeds' goal for the rest of the first half, with Alejandro Garnacho volleying wide before Maximilian Wober denied him with a goal-line clearance.

Marcel Sabitzer drew a spectacular save from Illan Meslier from 25 yards, and the Red Devils fell further behind shortly after half-time.

The outstanding Gnonto found substitute Crysencio Summerville on the underlap, and his cut-back was diverted past David de Gea by Varane.

United found a route back into the contest just after the hour as Rashford rose to head Diogo Dalot's cross home, and their pressure told once more with 20 minutes remaining.

Shaw's cut-back deflected into the path of Sancho, who saw his tame effort squirm through Meslier's grip to level things up.

Varane almost went from villain to hero with a powerful header as United continued to press, but Meslier atoned for his own earlier error with a save to preserve Leeds' point.

What does it mean? Old Trafford run ends as United fall short

A rousing comeback was not enough for United to extend their remarkable winning run on home soil, which ends at 13 games across all competitions following this thrilling affair.

While Ten Hag will be relieved to have avoided a first home league defeat to Leeds since 1981, United looked vulnerable in the absence of suspended midfielder Casemiro, and the title race looks a step too far for this developing side at present. 

England duo save the day

United were slightly unfortunate to enter half-time a goal behind after spurning several chances in the opening period, but it looked a long way back when Varane's own goal put them 2-0 down.

Rashford got the ball rolling for their fightback, continuing his exceptional run since the World Cup. He became the first United player to score in six consecutive home appearances since Wayne Rooney in April 2012.

Sancho was lively after his introduction and spared United's blushes with a strike of his own. He now has three goals in 11 Premier League appearances this season, equalling his goal tally from 29 matches last term. 

Livewire Gnonto makes fast start

Though Leeds ultimately fell short of a huge win at the home of their old rivals, caretakers Michael Skubala, Chris Armas and Paco Gallardo will have been delighted by Gnonto's impact.

His goal, coming after 55 seconds, was the second-earliest scored by an away player in the Premier League at Old Trafford, after Edin Dzeko's March 2014 effort for Manchester City (43 seconds).

Key Opta facts

- Since losing their first two games of the season, Man Utd have won 43 points in 20 Premier League matches – only Arsenal (44) have picked up more points in this period (MD3 onwards).

- Only Leicester City (19) have dropped points from winning positions in the Premier League this season than Leeds United (15).

- Leeds' Wilfried Gnonto (19y 95d) became the youngest player to score a Premier League goal against United at Old Trafford since Jermain Defoe (19y 62d) for West Ham in December 2001. In fact, Gnonto is the youngest overseas player to score an away goal versus the Red Devils.

- Leeds have never won a Premier League game against United at Old Trafford when they have scored first (D2 L1), also losing 2-3 in November 1998 and drawing 1-1 in October 2001.

- Leeds are winless in their last 18 away league games against United (D7 L11), equalling their longest away winless run versus an opponent (also 18 games vs West Ham between 1921 and 1956).

What's next?

These two sides will do battle again on Sunday, with United heading to Elland Road for the second instalment in a rare Premier League double-header.