Despite recovering from a 2-0 deficit, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag blasted his team's "unacceptable" opening to Wednesday's 2-2 draw with managerless Leeds.
Leeds fired Jesse Marsch on Monday after going seven league games without a caretaker manager. Michael Skubala had only had one 20-minute training session to prepare for the trip across The Pennines, but the visitors were on track for their first win over United since 2010.
Wilfried Gnonto put Leeds up after just a minute, and Raphael Varane increased their lead early in the second half.
Marcus Rashford's 20th goal of the season spurred United's comeback, and Jadon Sancho's first goal since September extended the Red Devils' home unbeaten streak to 16 games.
"You can say we won a point because coming back from 2-0 down in a derby is good," Ten Hag said following the first of two Premier League meetings between the teams in five days.
"On the other side, starting a derby way we did is unacceptable. You must be prepared to fight, yet we were not prepared for the battle."
With two games remaining, third-placed United is still seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
Midfield Vacuum
United suffered greatly with the absence of Casemiro in midfield, which allowed Leeds to counter-attack at will.
Gnonto has been a persistent bright light for Leeds this season, and he burst the game into life after only 60 seconds, finding the bottom corner for his fourth goal in seven outings.
Alejandro Garnacho blasted just wide and then saw a shot pushed off the line by Max Woeber after the Argentine had rounded Illan Meslier.
However, the home team was slow to get out of the blocks after the break and were penalised for it.
Gnonto was at the center of the action once more, this time releasing Crysencio Summerville down the left, whose cross was diverted into his own net by Raphael Varane.
"I think it instills confidence in the players that they are good enough at this level," Skubala added, who is unsure if he will be in charge for United's visit to Elland Road on Sunday.
"They know that, and we know it, and all we have to do now is go after every game until the end of the season."
Ten Hag looked to his bench for answers, and found them in Sancho and Facundo Pellistri, who were brought in to replace the ineffective Wout Weghorst and Garnacho.
Weghorst's departure opened up space for Rashford, who rose highest to meet Diogo Dalot's cross for his 12th goal in 14 games since the World Cup.
Leeds almost soon restored their two-goal advantage when Brenden Aaronson's free-kick came back off the post.
However, their advantage was quickly wiped away 20 minutes before the deadline.
Sancho's fitness issues have kept him out for most of the season, but his return has come at a good time, with United still competing in four competitions and lacking attacking options.
The England international collected Luke Shaw's deflected cross and struck low to Meslier's left.
"He's all the way back," Ten Hag added. "We know he's a fantastic player." I believe he can have a significant impact on a consistent basis. But he must put in a lot of effort. It will encourage him to obtain more."
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