Manchester United's five-game winning run in the Premier League came to a grinding halt as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Leeds United on Sunday afternoon.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side enjoyed the lion's share of opportunities in the first half but did not trouble Illan Meslier all that often, while Leeds had a penalty appeal waved away after the ball struck Luke Shaw's arm.
Marcus Rashford went closest in the first 45 with one of the many free kicks that Leeds gave away, but Meslier got a strong hand on his dipping effort to keep the scores level heading into the break.
The second period started largely in the same vein, with neither side able to fashion any clear-cut chances and attacking quality at a premium, but Leeds went closest when Helder Costa's effort took a deflection off Aaron Wan-Bissaka and looped onto the top of Dean Henderson's goal.
The frustrated Red Devils threw Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani on in the final 15 minutes as they struggled to break down a dogged Leeds defence, but their efforts proved futile as the Whites held on.
Second-placed Man United now sit 10 points adrift of leaders Manchester City with five games left to play, while Leeds leapfrog Arsenal into ninth - six points adrift of the top seven.
Leeds now have a week to recover before their trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on May 1, while Man United's attention turns to the first leg of their Europa League semi-final with Roma on Thursday night.
HIGHLIGHTS
1st min: An early free-kick from Bruno Fernandes finds Mason Greenwood, but his header is comfortable for Illan Meslier.
7th min: Marcus Rashford scuffs an effort wide after a pinpoint pass from Victor Lindelof inside his own half.
12th min: Rashford wins a free kick on the left of the area - Fernandes takes and finds Harry Maguire, who has no time to set himself and the ball cannons out of play off his thigh.
19th min: A cross from Jack Harrison strikes Luke Shaw on the arm - VAR takes a look but no penalty is awarded.
NO PEN ❌
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 25, 2021
Mike Dean on VAR takes a look but decision stands after the ball hit Luke Shaw's arm
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24th min: Another free kick for United on the left, this for a foul on Dan James. Luke Shaw takes but Leeds clear.
31st min: Kalvin Phillips brings down Fernandes and United have a free kick in a promising position. The Portuguese playmaker takes but his effort is too high.
33rd min: Fred just about manages to avoid diverting Luke Ayling's cross into his own net. Harrison's corner is a poor one, though.
34th min: Phillips prevents Fernandes from clearing his lines and the ball falls kindly for Stuart Dallas, who shoots from the edge of the box, but Dean Henderson comfortably saves down low.
37th min: Ayling completely takes out Rashford and picks up a yellow card. Another free kick on the left-hand side from United sees Fernandes's drive headed over the bar by Patrick Bamford.
45th min: Leeds give away yet another free kick in a dangerous area - Rashford's long-range effort is heading in but Meslier gets a strong hand on it. The following corner sees Maguire head over from Shaw's cross.
BIG SAVE
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 25, 2021
Meslier keeps out a powerful Rashford free kick just before the break
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51st min: Fernandes turns into the Leeds area and tries to get a shot away, but he is quickly closed down by Leeds' defence.
57th min: United start to turn the screw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka picks out Fernandes in the area, but he drags his shot wide of the mark.
61st min: The ball breaks kindly for Mason Greenwood and the youngster gets a shot away, which Meslier comfortably saves down low.
62nd min: Dan James is just about to pull the trigger before Ezgjan Alioski puts in a last-ditch tackle. Helder Costa's effort is deflected onto the top of Henderson's net seconds later.
SO CLOSE 😬
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 25, 2021
Helder Costa's deflected effort loops narrowly over the bar
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74th min: Substitute Mateusz Klich breaks away down the right and gets a shot away after cutting inside, but it is straight down Henderson's throat before he saves Ayling's speculative effort.
83rd min: Greenwood turns and fires a left-footed effort towards goal, and Meslier gets down to make a routine save.
MAN OF THE MATCH - KALVIN PHILLIPS
© Reuters
On a day where Bruno Fernandes would have hoped to inspire Man United to victory, he was nullified by the constant presence of Kalvin Phillips in the Whites midfield.
The England international played his role in Leeds' clean sheet with eight tackles, two clearances and two interceptions - an exemplary performance from the Leeds lynchpin.
STANDOUT MOMENT
Look away now, Luke Ayling 😂
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 25, 2021
That one tickled @Carra23
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In a game that was largely devoid of attacking quality from both teams, a misplaced pass from Luke Ayling in the dying embers epitomised the pattern of the game at Elland Road, and Jamie Carragher certainly saw the funny side of it.
BEST STAT
Youngest @premierleague goalkeepers to keep 10 clean sheets
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) April 25, 2021
21y 54d Illan Meslier
21y 134d Joe Hart
21y 153d David De Gea
21y 201d Wojciech Szczesny pic.twitter.com/Csjb1D7957
MATCH STATS
Possession: Leeds 44%-56% Man United
Shots: Leeds 6-16 Man United
Shots on target: Leeds 3-4 Man United
Corners: Leeds 2-6 Man United
Fouls: Leeds 21-11 Man United
LINEUPS
LEEDS UNITED (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Alioski; Phillips; Costa (Klich 72'), Dallas, Roberts (Koch 76'), Harrison (Poveda 68'); Bamford
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred (Van de Beek 89'), McTominay; James (Pogba 76'), Fernandes, Rashford (Cavani 85'); Greenwood
