TOWN savoured a financial windfall as Leeds Road resounded to the sound of clicking turnstiles – twice in five days.
First 40,363 turned out for the midweek FA Cup fourth-round replay against Stoke, which finished goalless.
Then a bumper 41,464, Town’s highest home league gate in 16 years, watched the 2-1 top-flight defeat by Manchester United.
There was even more interest in the Saturday showdown because it marked the return of George Best after a club-imposed suspension for missing training.
The United side also included Town old boy Denis Law, while Jimmy Nicholson led the home team out against his former club.
Boss Ian Greaves, whose side went into the game on the same 22 points from 25 games tally as United, also included Brian Greenhalgh, back after two games on the sidelines.
It was a supercharged atmosphere, and a thrilling game, with United having the edge in the first half before coming under the cosh in the second.
Best was well marshalled by Jimmy McGill, but still had a hand in both his side’s goals, the first of which came after 22 minutes.
The Irish master worked the all out to Willie Morgan, who broke down the right and crossed for Law to head past David Lawson.
Law lasted just two more minutes, as he had to be taken off on a stretcher was a gashed shin after challenging Frank Worthington as he chased Steve Smith’s through ball.
Town were level after 35 minutes, when Worthington netted from the penalty spot after David Sadler handled a Greenhalgh header.
But United regained the lead in first-half injury time, John Aston shooting home after a Best shot was blocked.
The complexion of the game changed after the break as Town, 15th in the table, took a firm grip.
Keeper Alex Stepney took centre stage for the visitors, pulling off fine saves to deny Worthington and Greenhalgh.
While United’s win left them 14th, Leeds went five points clear at the top as they won 2-0 at Manchester City while nearest rivals Arsenal lost 2-0 at Liverpool.
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