Manchester United’s winless Premier League run continued as they could only secure a 1-1 draw with rivals Leeds at Elland Road in a result that will only ease the pressure on boss Michael Carrick slightly, if at all.
United haven’t won in the league since beating Ipswich 5-2 on 30 August and this cross-Pennine derby came at the end of another volatile week at Old Trafford, with Lisandro Martinez criticising the club hierarchy following a tepid defeat to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday and being forced to subsequently apologise.
There was a much-improved performance from the Red Devils, especially defensively, in the first half and they deservedly led through Bryan Mbeumo’s sliding finish from Youri Tielemans’ low cross.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised early in the second half after some shoddy defending in the box but United strengthened again and were good value for a draw.
Here’s how the Man United players rated at Elland Road:
Man United player ratings
Senne Lammens – 6
Was alert to produce a decent save on 25 minutes from Nico Elvedi’s header and there wasn’t anything he could do about Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s smart finish early in the second half, with the defence in front of him letting him down. A poor punch in injury-time could have been costly but Anton Stach’s weak shot was fortunately blocked a couple of yards from the line. Distribution was decent throughout.
Leny Yoro – 7
Forced to right-back again and quite frankly, he is simply not a right-back. Gamely tried to stride forward and create form the flank but the sooner he is able to return to the heart of defence, the better for all involved. Defensively, he was very, very solid with a number of key interceptions and headers clear, helping United’s back-line look much sturdier than in recent outings, aside from the goal.
Harry Maguire – 7
A couple of rash moments but United’s defence was much improved, so he has to be given credit for that, and he generally shackled Calvert-Lewin pretty well in the first half. After the break, there was a wobble around the time of the equaliser but the former England international marshalled the troops and steadied the ship from there.
Lisandro Martinez – 7
All eyes on the Argentine after his midweek outburst at the Manchester United hierarchy and subsequent apology. A key part of United being much tougher to break down in the first half, reading the game well and making some crucial interventions. Was subbed at half-time, potentially with a slight knock, and United conceded a goal within a few minutes of him going off. Those two facts weren’t completely unconnected.
Diogo Dalot – 7
Another man displaced by the defensive injuries, forced to play at left-back rather than in his preferred position on the right. Bombed forward into dangerous positions but usually failed to produce a decisive final ball and was made to work hard defensively by the lively Jayden Bogle. Brilliantly launched a counter-attack on 75 minutes when he made a tackle on the edge of the box and ran 60 yards with the ball before slipping in Amad for a shot.
Andrey Santos – 5
Took a bit of a battering in a niggly opening 20 minutes – being fouled on multiple occasions – and never seized control of the game in the engine room. Can’t escape the feeling that Chelsea will have been delighted to get £50m for him this summer and there is no evidence that he is the answer to United’s general midfield woes. Was booked late on.
Carlos Baleba – 6
A first Premier League start and perhaps a bit unlucky to not quite earn a 7. Has generally appeared to be the most impressive of United’s trio of summer midfield signings and again showed composure, drive and a decent range of passing, although Tielemans was the real creative hub in the first half. Made a couple of fouls after the break and couldn’t help the United midfield regain control of the game before being subbed off 15 minutes from time.
Youri Tielemans – 8
Whipped a lovely ball into the box for his side’s first big chance, that Bryan Mbeumo contrived to head wide, and picked out the Cameroon international with another glorious pass to set up a shot shortly afterwards. His creativity was then finally rewarded when Mbeumo slid in to convert another pinpoint low cross for the opening goal 10 minutes before half-time. Quieter after the break before being subbed for Matheus Cunha late on.
Amad Diallo – 7
Nominally a winger but actually tucked in at points to make a back five, with Carrick setting his side up to be much more structured and tougher to break down, which they were. Used his pace to be an outlet ball at other points, produced a couple of dangerous deliveries from corners and linked up beautifully with Tielemans to create the opening goal for Mbeumo. Looked threatening when on the ball in the Leeds half, although the end product is still sometimes lacking, as proven by a neat cut inside, followed by a wild, wayward shot with 88 minutes on the clock.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
When the line-up was posted, it was presumed that the United skipper would be playing out wide again and, while he did spend some time out on the left, he was also almost a false nine at points as Carrick seemed to eschew a traditional frontman. He was again surprisingly subdued in both roles... Set-piece delivery wasn’t great and was rightly booked for an ugly lunge on Tarik Muharemovic early on. Flashed a shot wide on 65 minutes but didn’t offer much else. It’s now five consecutive Premier League games without a goal or an assist for Fernandes – his worst run since May 2025. For years he was the lone bright spot in struggling United teams but at the moment he is simply one of many issues in an inconsistent United team.
Bryan Mbeumo – 7
Had United’s first big chance on 27 minutes as he drifted into space 12 yards out and powered a free header wide of the left post for a bad miss before producing a tame shot from a decent position a short while later. But his persistence paid off with a great run and sliding finish from six yards out to open the scoring before half-time. Calvert-Lewin got the better of him in the box for Leeds’ equaliser.
Substitutes
Noussair Mazraoui for Martinez, 45 – 4
Came on for Lisandro Martinez at half-time, who appeared to have picked up a knock, having been an injury doubt during the week. Was promptly outmuscled by Muharemovic in the build-up to Leeds’ equaliser and then started squaring up to Calvert-Lewin. Hardly a vintage display...
Mason Mount for Baleba, 74 – 5
Had a shot shortly after coming on after a well-worked corner but skewed it wide. Not hugely involved other than that.
Matheus Cunha for Tielemans, 84 – N/A
Sent on by Carrick shortly before the end to try and snatch a winner from somewhere but not enough time to really make an impact.