Leeds United moved closer to Premier League safety with a 2-1 win over 10-player Manchester United at Old Trafford, as Noah Okafor scored twice before half-time and Casemiro’s late header created tension, yet the visitors held on to move six points clear of the relegation places.

The match opened at high tempo when Dominic Calvert-Lewin wasted a clear chance inside three minutes, but Okafor struck soon afterwards, finishing calmly after Leny Yoro’s weak defensive header, then added a second near the half-hour with a precise volley from outside the area, before Lisandro Martinez denied Ao Tanaka on the line just before the break.

The contest shifted early in the second half as Martinez, who had rescued Manchester United earlier, received a straight red card on 56 minutes after a VAR review showed Martinez pulling Calvert-Lewin’s hair, and although Casemiro headed in a Bruno Fernandes cross on 69 minutes, Calvert-Lewin later cleared another Casemiro effort off the line on 85 minutes and then blocked Manuel Ugarte’s follow-up.

Underlying figures supported Leeds United’s victory at Old Trafford, with the visitors generating 2.37 expected goals from 15 attempts compared to Manchester United’s 1.31 from 20 shots, and the result gave Leeds United a first league success over the Red Devils since a 1-0 win in September 2002, and a first league away triumph there since February 1981, ending 18 visits without victory (seven draws, 11 defeats).

Okafor’s double also placed Leeds United history at Old Trafford, as Okafor became the first Leeds player to score more than once against Manchester United in a Premier League fixture, while Calvert-Lewin troubled the hosts throughout, registering a match-high five shots, nine touches in the penalty area, 21 total duels and four aerial duels won, the third-best figure.

Key match statistics underline the balance of play between Leeds United and Manchester United at Old Trafford in this Premier League meeting, with Leeds United more efficient in front of goal despite facing long periods without possession.

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The victory left Leeds United with valuable breathing space in the Premier League survival fight, strengthened by ending a long winless run at Old Trafford and supported by strong attacking data, while Manchester United were punished for defensive mistakes and Martinez’s dismissal despite periods of pressure and several dangerous moments from Casemiro.