Manchester United wins at Elland Road

Leeds United 0 Manchester United 1

Manchester United took over the leadership at the top of the Premier League despite an unconvincing display which hardly merited such reward.

Captain Roy Keane’s second goal of the season in the 81st minute broke Leeds’ brave resistance in a game in which they produced their best defensive performance this campaign.

For former Leeds star Rio Ferdinand, the victory was a sweet one, even though Elland Road was not as hostile as he had perhaps been anticipating, with the taunts, boos and jeers fully expected without being over-venomous.

After Forlan had cracked a drive over the bar, United finally found their way past Leeds in the 81st minute.

After van Nistelrooy had been dispossessed by Sakho, the ball ran to Gary Neville, the right-back curling in a cross for Keane to head home his second goal of the season beyond Robinson.

Olembe then cleared off the line a van Nistelrooy free-kick which had been pushed forward to the edge of the area following dissent from Alan Smith which had earned him a yellow card.

In injury time, Scholes cracked a close-range drive off the underside of the bar.