Ten Hag's Reds reboot is ahead of schedule...

ON a weekend of refereeing howlers it was apt that the former official Martin Atkinson skulked to the back row of the press box at Elland Road.

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

Out of view and as distant from the pitch as possible, Atkinson watched Paul Tierney preside sensibly over a committed contest where the only line that was crossed was by those to his right on the terraces.

Atkinson will have strolled down the gangway satisfied with the officiating after a chastening Saturday. Only the monitor available to Atkinson did not show the ball that dropped to Wout Weghorst for his late disallowed goal was via a Leeds player's arm.

Still, the robot at Stockley Park ignored a replay that the broadcasters had beamed into the living rooms and pubs and drew his lines. Weghorst's afternoon ought to have ended with an assist and a goal. Instead, his league drought extended to five games.

United did at least achieve their first Premier League away win by a two-goal margin this season. More points squandered by Arsenal and a short stint above City in second place restarted the tedious title chatter around the Reds on Sunday.

Gary Neville feels they are not in with a shout but Roy Keane does. United trail Arsenal by only five points but the leaders have two games in hand - the first against City at home tonight.