THE NOTEBOOK: David de Gea marks his 400th Premier League appearance with a clean sheet

Two late goals for Manchester United from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho ensured they closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to five points.

Leeds had pressured and harassed the visitors for much of the afternoon and might have led had it not been for a few detours that ended and United’s quality finally came through late on.

On a feverish afternoon at Elland Road, the game at times felt like a throwback to a bygone era with tackles flying and referee Paul Tierney often opting to let the game flow.

Sportsmail’s Chris Wheeler takes a look at some of the things you may have missed about Elland Road

Goals from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho secured Man United all three points

Alfred Schreuder watches Leeds without a manager

Leeds chief executive Angus Kinnear used his column on the match program to reassure fans that the search for a new manager is ‘well advanced’, and possibly even further along than we thought judging by Alfred’s presence. Schreuder on Elland Road.

Schreuder, who replaced Erik ten Hag at Ajax but was sacked by the Dutch club last month, has emerged as a strong contender to succeed Jesse Marsch at Leeds.

Leeds are eager to make an appointment before Saturday’s decisive clash with Everton and have had little joy in their attempts to reward Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola.

They were also turned down by Feyenoord’s Arne Slot, while West Brom’s Carlos Corberan was also considered, but opted to sign a longer contract at the Hawthorns.

Schreuder installed himself as the bookies’ favorite on Saturday night after a flurry of bets.

Alfred Schreuder is currently out of a job after being sacked by Ajax

Relegation rivals provide must-play games

The defeat saw Leeds equal their club record of nine Premier League games without a win in the same season, first set in 1997. They now face two crucial games in the battle for survival against teammates Everton and Southampton. .

Super sub Garnacho continues to shine

Alejandro Garnacho responded to Erik ten Hag’s criticism of his completion in the midweek draw with Leeds at Old Trafford by seizing his opportunity here. The teenager has now been involved in four goals off the bench this season with two goals and two assists, more than any other player.

De Gea marks his international number 400 with a clean sheet

David De Gea became the first goalkeeper, and the first non-British player, to make 400 Premier League appearances for a club while keeping a clean sheet at Elland Road.

The Spaniard played his part in United’s victory, making a crucial save in Crysencio Summerville’s one-on-one game moments before Marcus Rashford headed the visitors up front.

Alejandro Garnacho scored United’s second from the bench, his fourth goal as a substitute

David de Gea made his 400th Premier League appearance and scored it with a clean sheet

De Gea, who is still in talks with United over a new deal to replace his current £375,000 a week deal, said: “Today it wasn’t about £400, it was about winning and we did it so now I can enjoy it. ‘

Maguire looks unconvincing on first team return

With Marcel Sabitzer having to make only his second start for United in the span of five days due to the lack of midfield options available to Ten Hag, and Jadon Sancho his first since October on the right wing, it was a Bold decision by the United manager to play with his back-four.

Harry Maguire was part of the Premier League starting line-up for the fifth time this season, and looked decidedly shaky at times, with Luke Shaw playing alongside him in central defence. “One part is rotation, the other part is tactics,” Ten Hag said before kickoff.

As at Old Trafford on Wednesday, it was only when Ten Hag made changes midway through the second half, particularly sending Lisandro Martínez for Malacia and switching Shaw to left-back, that United seemed more comfortable and were rewarded with two goals.

Harry Maguire looked shaky on defense in what was only his fifth start this season