Noah Okafor scored twice as Leeds United secured a crucial 2-1 away victory over rivals Manchester United on Tuesday. The hosts played nearly the entire second half with ten men after Lisandro Martinez was sent off.
Manchester United appeared rusty following the international break. Leeds took full advantage, pressing high and dominated the early exchanges. Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed an early sitter but Leeds soon broke the deadlock when Okafor side-footed home from a cross.
Okafor doubled the lead in the 29th minute with a deflected strike from outside the box. Manchester United’s frustrations boiled over in the 56th minute when Lisandro Martinez received a straight red card following a VAR review for pulling Calvert-Lewin’s hair.
Despite the disadvantage, the home side fought back. Casemiro headed in a Bruno Fernandes cross in the 69th minute to offer hope but a disciplined Leeds defense blocked late efforts from Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte to seal the win.
The result leaves Manchester United third in the Premier League table while Leeds move six points clear of the relegation zone. Manchester United manager Michael Carrick later slammed the officiating describing Martinez's red card as "one of the worst decisions" he had ever seen.
