Late goals from Garnacho and Rashford gave Manchester United a two-nil win over Leeds United at the Elland Road.
Managerless Leeds United sunk deep into relegation trouble after they conceded twice in the final 10 minutes at Elland Road.
Marcus Rashford headed in Luke Shaw’s curling cross to open the scoring before substitute Alejandro Garnacho then outpaced the home defence before beating Illan Meslier at his near post to the obvious joy of manager Erik ten Hag on the touchline.
The result was harsh on Leeds, who created a number of decent opportunities but could not beat visiting goalkeeper David de Gea who became the first non-British player and goalkeeper to make 400 Premier League appearances for one club.
However, in the end it was the visitors who displayed an extra touch of class to take them seven points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham in the battle for a Champions League spot.
Leeds are in a far more precarious position at the other end of the table and will drop into the relegation zone if Everton win Monday’s Merseyside derby at Anfield.
The Whites need to arrest a damaging nine-game winless run that has brought just four points from a possible 27, with the need to replace Jesse Marsch, who was sacked last week, now more urgent than ever.
Sadly, the mood around the stadium for the Roses derby soured just before the break when chants about the Munich Air Disaster and the murders in 2000 of two Leeds fans in Istanbul were traded between the rival fans.
The clubs released a joint statement after full-time in which they strongly condemned the “completely unacceptable” chants.