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But the home side were level through Australian Mark Viduka before twenty minutes were on the clock. Leeds were certainly on top, a Ian Harte free kick went just over whilst Robbie Fowler blazed over. Bowyer beat Blanc on the edge of the area before threading the ball into Viduka. Gary Neville slipped enabling the Australian to get in, he made no mistake and rolled the ball past Barthez.
Leeds were on top of their game and could have taken the lead. At the other end Mickael Silvestre missed a golden chance, his header flashed just over the bar.
Manchester United re-established their lead eight minutes before the break through Norwegian forward Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who started the game up front alongside Paul Scholes. Scholes shot powerfully from the edge of the box but Nigel Martyn was there to block the effort. However, he could not keep hold of the ball and Solskjaer reacted first and was there to lift the ball over the England goalkeeper and into the net.
United doubled their lead two minutes later, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was again on the scoresheet. Silvestre crossed for Giggs but the Welshman's shot was blocked. The ball fell for Solskjaer who, with the aid of a deflection, guided it past Martyn.
Leeds were shell shocked at the break having conceded two goals which ultimately cost them the match. And ten minutes after the restart United sowed the match up. David Beckham was allowed to run with the ball at his feet almost the entire length of the pitch without a tackle. He reaced the byline and pulled it back for Giggs who prodded the ball past Martyn. Ronny Johnsen later narrowly missed out on a fifth, his header struck the bar.
But United this season have been conceding goal after goal and the Leeds game was no different. Their seemingly unassailable lead was almost lost late on as Leeds pushed for three important points. First Ian Harte made it 4-2 with a superb twenty-five yard free kick straight into the top corner.
With just ten minutes remaining Lee Bowyer made United fans nervous, bringing the score back to 4-3 as he headed home Fowler's scuffed shot. There was action at both ends in the final ten minutes, Deigo Forlan headed straight at Martyn and he could have put the result beyond doubt. He is still waiting for his first United strike.
Ian Harte came a whisker away from equalising his free kick from the edge of the box just skimmed the corner of post and bar. BArthez was motionless, helpless to stop what would have been a fantastic equaliser for the Whites.
United now travel to Deportivo on Tuesday, knowing that further defensive lapses could spell elimination from the Champions League.