Philippe Coutinho's deflected strike gave the visitors a half-time lead before second-half goals from Matty Cash and Calum Chambers put the game beyond Leeds' reach.
Fans started leaving their seats well ahead of the final whistle as the result looked sewn up long before the 90 minutes was up.
There was further cause for concern in the game's dying minutes as Junior Firpo was stretchered off the pitch by the Leeds' medical team, forcing United to finish the game with ten men.
Graham Smyth, the YEP's chief football writer, hands out the scores from a terrible evening at Elland Road.
7. Adam Forshaw
4 - One of the more reliable on the ball but neither he nor Koch could contain Coutinho. Photo by George Wood/Getty Images.
8. Raphinha
4 - The period after the break aside, when he flickered back to life and created danger, he was off it again. Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images.
9. Jack Harrison
4 - Worked hard but in the final third his decision making was problematic. Photo by George Wood/Getty Images.
10. Rodrigo
2 - Struggled on the ball, badly. Took poor touches that slowed down or stopped Leeds counters, gave it away too often and in dangerous areas. Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images.
11. Dan James
4 - Another who gave the required effort but once again the central attacking role didn't seem to suit. Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images.
12. Patrick Bamford (sub)
5 - Did little wrong, looked sharp given his lengthy absence, but couldn't do much right with no service to speak of. Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images.