A lifeline or the tightening of the noose for Michael Carrick? The relief will be Manchester United avoided defeat. The reality is it is now one win in their opening seven Premier League games and the pressure and the focus remains on the manager in what appears to be a pivotal week for his future.
A midweek Champions League fixture at Como is followed by a home league game against Bournemouth and Carrick needs to start collecting some “Ws” in those results columns.
Leeds away was always going to be a challenging fixture. But the hard truth is United were just not good enough to hold on to a half-time lead, provided by Bryan Mbeumo and – in the end – were left holding on with Leeds believing they had done enough to win. Anton Stach should have won it for them in injury time.
The nature of Leeds’ equalising goal, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin too strong and alert for first Carlos Baleba and then Mbeumo to fire home from a corner, spoke to the softness at the heart of United.
The way in which Carrick celebrated Mbeumo’s goal spoke to the attention he is under. Mbeumo, playing as a central striker, forced his way past James Justin to reach Youri Tielemans’s excellent low cross and Carrick turned and punched the air.
Mbeumo should have scored earlier than that, sending a header, when unmarked, wastefully wide while Manchester United were indebted to goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who made a fine save from a downward header by Nico Elvedi.
In truth, it was a game of limited opportunities and, while the draw was far from disastrous for United, they still lie in 13th place, already five points outside Champions League qualification. Which must be a bare minimum for them. And Carrick.
More to follow...
Farke’s assessment
The Leeds boss told Sky Sports: “We are slightly disappointed it is just a point. Overall, I felt it was not necessary to be losing at half time but it is still Manchester United. Second half, we got the equaliser, we should have kept up the dominance, too many strikes went over the crossbar but it was overall a solid performance. We should have won the game but we move on.
“We took it as a compliment that we have done many things right over the last month if we were seen as favourites against Manchester Untiedbut we have earned this. We wanted to prove the comments right.
“We were the dominant side but we couldn’t capitalise as we lacked quality in and around the box.
“It says a lot about how much respect we have earned. Overall, this is where we are at the moment and overall, it is a good place to be.
“It is still difficult in this league to win points. You have to be clinical and be very, very effective but we have to keep going.”
Calvert-Lewin: Leeds ‘unlucky’ not to win
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I think we could’ve played with a bit more quality in the final third, particularly in the first half. We were getting good quality in the box but just not enough numbers.
“We made sure in the second half we came out with more confidence going forward. I think we were unlucky not to win the game.
“They tried to [match us up formation-wise]. Not surprised given what happened last season. They were probably looking at our physical output and the way we liked to play and tried to go man-for-man.
“It took us a little bit to adjust to it, but I don’t think it was too difficult to adjust. It was more down to us and maybe a lack of quality in the final third.”
Carrick and Fernandes clap the away fans
Other Premier League results
Saturday:
Everton 0 Chelsea 2
Brentford 1 Liverpool 2
Fulham 1 Hull City 0
Manchester City 3 Ipswich Town 2
Newcastle United 0 Aston Villa 1
Sunday:
Bournemouth 2 Sunderland 0
Brighton & Hove Albion 5 Crystal Palace 0
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal (16:30)
Monday:
Tottenham vs Coventry City (20:00)
FT: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
It’s all over at Elland Road, with Leeds and Man Utd playing out a competitive draw. Mbeumo’s opener was cancelled out by Calvert-Lewin’s equaliser in a game that was low on attacking quality and chances. Ultimately, a draw was a very fair reflection of the match. Man Utd are 14th and winless in six games across all competitions, while Leeds move into the top seven.
90+2 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
There are two yellow cards in quick succession as Ampadu is cautioned for a late tackle on Amad. Andrey Santos runs over and barges into the Leeds captain to earn himself a booking. The referee quickly calms then drama down.
90+1 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
Unconvincing goalkeeping from Lammens as he only punches Ampadu’s cross as far as Stach, whose tame shot squeezes through the Belgian’s legs. However, it’s blocked by the Man Utd defence and Lammens eventually gathers the ball.
90 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
There will be four minutes of added time. Can either side snatch a late victory?
Three times now United have looked like they’re about to get away down the flanks in the last few minutes and each time they’ve been flagged offside (Amad twice, Mbeumo once) and each occasion the player was able to look across the line. Carrick looked to the heavens. And he’s right to be frustrated. So avoidable.
87 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
Nmecha and Maguire challenge for the ball in the air, with the Man Utd defender bumping into the back of the Leeds substitute’s head. The crowd half-heartedly appeal for a penalty, but it’s quickly checked and cleared by VAR.
84 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
Carrick responds with a positive, attacking switch as Tielemans departs for Cunha.
81 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
Farke makes another change for Leeds as Longstaff replaces Tanaka in midfield.
79 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
Excellently goalkeeping from Trafford, who dashes out of his six-yard box to collect Andrey Santos’ pass and keep the ball in his grasp while staying in his box under the watchful eye of Mbeumo.
77 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
Dalot drives forward and leads a counter-attack. He passes to Amad, who forces a corner as Leeds get back well and recover. Man Utd take a clever short corner routine, but it ends with Mount scuffing an effort wide.
74 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
Both teams make changes. For Leeds, Nmecha replaces Okafor, while Mount enters the action for Man Utd as Baleba is withdrawn. The Englishman will sit alongside Andrey Santos in the away side’s midfield pivot.
72 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
From presentable range, Fernandes curls an effort straight into Trafford’s arms. Dalot then fails to adequately deal with a cross, heading the ball only as far as Stach. However, the Leeds midfielder wildly lashes his strike over the bar.
United were under that cosh in that period after Leeds equalised but they’ve gained a foothold back in the game now and a bit of frustration has crept in among the home fans. Stach the third player to fire high over the bar. Could go either way this.
71 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
How much longer will Carrick wait before making some changes in forward areas? His side need some renewed attacking impetus. The Man Utd head coach has Rashford, Cunha, Mount and Zirkzee all on the bench to choose from.
68 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
Okafor attempts to spearhead a Leeds break by playing in Calvert-Lewin. However, his pass is poor and it’s intercepted by Maguire. Amad is down after being caught by Tanaka earlier in that phase of play.
66 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
On the turn, Fernandes drags a low effort wide of the far post in a rare attacking flurry for Man Utd in this second half.
64 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
Ampadu feels Leeds should have a penalty as he collides with Maguire at a corner. The Man Utd defender hauls the Leeds captain to the floor. It’s been checked and cleared by VAR, but Maguire was taking a huge risk there.
62 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
60 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
Michael Carrick will surely be angry at the way Manchester United have started the second-half. One-nil up they have been far too slow and casual - highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goal which was embarrassingly easy to score from a corner. Leeds now on top and a huge few minutes ahead for Carrick.
58 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
Gudmundsson’s searching cross can’t quite find Calvert-Lewin as Man Utd scramble it clear. The away side’s backline has three defenders playing out of position, and they’ve been made to pay by Leeds’ leveller.
56 min: Leeds 1 Man Utd 1
How will Man Utd cope with that setback? Leeds are putting them under serious pressure and have flown out of the blocks since the break as Tanaka volleys over from outside the penalty area.
GOAL! Calvert-Lewin finds an equaliser for Leeds
The hosts finally have something to shout about at Elland Road! Leeds have a corner and Muharemovic beats Mazraoui to the delivery. The defender glances the ball to Calvert-Lewin, who holds off Mbeumo before smashing a close-range half-volley into the bottom corner. Elland Road goes wild and Leeds now have the momentum at the start of this second half.
47 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 1
It looks like a straight swap as Mazraoui slots in as a centre back, with Yoro continuing to deputise on the right.
46 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 1
We are back under way the second half. Martinez has been withdrawn at half-time, with Mazraoui on as his replacement, while Leeds are unchanged.
Mbeumo’s goal in pictures
HT verdict
That is a really good half for Manchester United. More for the scoreline than the performance, although they have grown into the game after a sluggish start. Bryan Mbeumo’s goal will come as a huge relief to Michael Carrick. Leeds, in truth, have been a disappointment although they were denied the opening goal by Senne Lammens with a fine save. They needs to raise the tempo and the crowd. It is far too quiet. If Manchester United can hold on or build on this it will be a huge result for their under-pressure manager.
HT: Leeds 0 Man Utd 1
Carrick will be delighted with that first half. Man Utd have frustrated Leeds, defended valiantly and found the all-important breakthrough thanks to Mbeumo’s opener. Despite all the drama leading up to this game, Man Utd look really organised and unified, limiting Leeds to very little in forward areas.
45 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 1
There will be two minutes of added time. Can Man Utd protect their lead until the break?
42 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 1
Bogle drives into Man Utd’s box and squeezes a shot through a sea of bodies. However, it trickles into Lammens’ arms.
A big few minutes here for Manchester United. They need to see this half out. The goal has really steadied them but important they take that lead into the interval.
39 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 1
Calvert-Lewin attempts to latch onto Bogle’s clipped cross, but he directs it harmlessly wide.
37 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 1
Carrick’s game plan has worked perfectly so far. Man Utd soaked up the early pressure with their determined defending, before growing in confidence over the last 10 minutes. Mbeumo’s goal was much deserved.
You could see what that goal meant to Michael Carrick. He’s not one to show his emotions but he punches the air and wears the steely look of a man who knows how important it was to get the first goal here.
GOAL! Mbeumo slides Man Utd into the lead
Mbeumo missed an earlier chance, but he makes no mistake with that one! Amad slips in Tielemans, who whips a magnificent cross into Mbeumo. The forward shows great composure and guides the delivery into the bottom corner.
33 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 0
The crowd loves that as Trafford sprints way out of his box almost to the halfway line to beat Amad to a ball over the top. Man Utd then make a promising break through Mbeumo, whose tame effort is easily gathered by Trafford.
32 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 0
Bogle attempts to take everyone on as he dribbles into Man Utd’s penalty area. He glides away from Dalot and Martinez, but overruns it, allowing Maguire to come across and shepherd the ball out of play.
Chants of “you soft southern b------” from the Leeds fans every time a Manchester United player goes down injured. Just a reminder that Leeds is actually only 22 miles further north than Manchester.
30 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 0
The away side are growing into this contest, with a slick move seeing Baleba find Dalot. The right back sprints into Leeds’ box, but he’s tackled well by Bogle.
27 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 0
Mbeumo misses a massive opportunity! Tielemans clips in a cross and an unmarked Mbeumo finds space between Elvedi and Muharemovic but heads wide. He has to get that on target.
26 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 0
Leeds test Lammens! Stach whips in a free kick, which is met by Elvedi, whose downward header is parried away by Lammens. That’s Leeds’ best chance so far, but the Man Utd goalkeeper did his job.
25 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 0
Leeds have enjoyed nearly 70% possession, but they’re yet to have a shot of any note. That’s testament to Man Utd’s competitiveness and organisation. Bogle then digs out a promising cross, but Yoro heads it away at the back post.
22 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 0
19 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 0
In fairness to Man Utd, they’re defending solidly and doing well to frustrate Leeds. Gudmundsson is then carded for catching Andrey Santos on his ankle with a very unpleasant challenge. It’s been such a physical and scruffy match so far.
17 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 0
Risky from Fernandes as he lunges in with a dangerous challenge on Muharemovic. Leeds then break as Martinez misses his tackle on Calvert-Lewin, but Stach’s cross is blocked. When the ball eventually goes out of play, Fernandes is booked for that earlier challenge. He can have no complaints.
United staff aggrieved that Fernandes should be booked but Ampadu escape a yellow card before then for arguably a worse challenge on Mbeumo, whom he caught thick on the ankle with his studs.
13 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 0
Impressive milestone for Ampadu.
10 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 0
7 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 0
No early rhythm in this game so far. It’s still a little frantic at the moment, with Leeds having most of the ball and trying to force the issue.
4 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 0
Leeds crunch into a couple of heavy challenges on the Man Utd players in these early exchanges. Stach is eventually penalised for a strong tackle, but it’s a purposeful start from the hosts.
2 min: Leeds 0 Man Utd 0
Interestingly, it looks like Fernandes is starting centrally in the ‘false nine’ position, with Mbeumo and Amad out on the wings. The Man Utd captain started out wide in Spain on Wednesday - an experiment that definitely did not work.
Kick-off
We are under way at Elland. Can Leeds pile more misery on Man Utd or will the visitors answer their critics with a much-needed win?
Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the only player not to take the knee prior to kick-off for the Premier League’s ‘No Room for Racism’ campaign. The gesture from the other players was roundly booed by a lot of the fans inside Elland Road.
Players emerge from the tunnel
Both teams are out on the pitch, with kick-off fast approaching.
Reminder of the teams
With just 10 minutes until kick-off, here’s a recap of the two squads.
Leeds: Trafford, Justin, Elvedi, Muharemovic, Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson, Stach, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Zetterer, Longstaff, Wilson, Aaronson, Nmecha, Bijol, Bahoya, Bard, Gruev.
Man Utd: Lammens, Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot, Santos, Baleba, Fernandes, Tielemans, Diallo, Mbeumo.
Subs: Darlow, Mazraoui, de Ligt, Mount, Rashford, Cunha, Zirkzee, Lacey, Amass.
Neville on the Martinez situation
Carrick speaks to Sky Sports
Ampadu’s preview
Will Carrick’s team selection pay off for Man Utd?
There have been wide open spaces in Manchester United’s side for opponents to exploit this season so it’s no surprise to see Michael Carrick keep faith with an extra body in midfield. It could make for a rather disjointed set up.
Lisandro Martinez keeps his place despite his rant at the Old Trafford board in midweek but the bigger concern has been his individual performances this season - they have been nowhere near good enough and he’s brought extra scrutiny on himself with the tirade. Bruno Fernandes is going to have to operate out wide you would think if Youri Tielemans plays centrally ahead of Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos.
Leeds are the kind of compact, organised, aggressive in-your-face team United have tended to struggle against in recent years. They were good in defeat to Arsenal last weekend and showcased their considerable threat in the 4-1 win over Newcastle. Expect a white-hot atmosphere at Elland Road. They cannot stand Manchester United in these parts.
All eyes on Martinez
Carragher: In Man Utd circus, Martinez is the clown while Carrick walks a tightrope
Lisandro Martínez delivered a strong and powerful message to his Manchester United team-mates: if you’re playing terribly, use the director of football as a punchbag and you might become a hero.
It is a popular play in a world in which certain players have become as adept at scapegoat-hunting as man-marking. Passionately speak about what someone else at your football club is doing wrong – particularly the unloved executives – and cast yourself as a whistleblower, selflessly exposing the truth that the long-suffering supporters deserve.
Such internal fights make for great drama, unless your own club is caught in the middle of it.
That’s why in the immediate aftermath of Martínez’s scathing comments about Jason Wilcox following the Champions League defeat by Atlético Madrid, there was a division between those who celebrated the Argentine speaking out and those who felt it was self-serving, a convenient deflection by an out-of-form player in the final year of his contract.
And what about Leeds?
The narrative is completely dominated by the drama around Man Utd, which should suit Leeds perfectly. All eyes and pressure is on their opponents, and they have every reason to feel confident ahead of this huge clash at Elland Road.
Carragher questions Man Utd’s summer spending
Carragher and Richards assess Carrick’s line-up
Assessing the Man Utd team
There’s a lot to unpack with this Man Utd team. Lisandro Martinez starting grabs the headlines, while Carlos Baleba begins his first Premier League match for his new club. Luke Shaw remains unavailable through injury, with Leny Yoro, who was sent off in midweek, deputising at full-back. Kobbie Mainoo is also sidelined, while Matheus Cunha and Marcus Rashford are benched. With Benjamin Sesko still out, Bryan Mbeumo starts up top and is likely to be supported out wide by Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes.
Man Utd arrive
The teams in full
Leeds: Trafford, Justin, Elvedi, Muharemovic, Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson, Stach, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Zetterer, Longstaff, Wilson, Aaronson, Nmecha, Bijol, Bahoya, Bard, Gruev.
Man Utd: Lammens, Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot, Santos, Baleba, Fernandes, Tielemans, Diallo, Mbeumo.
Subs: Darlow, Mazraoui, de Ligt, Mount, Rashford, Cunha, Zirkzee, Lacey, Amass.
Referee: Darren England.
Man Utd team news
The big news is that Lisandro Martinez starts for the visitors, despite his scathing outburst earlier in the week. Michael Carrick also starts Carlos Baleba for the second match running, and he’s partnered in midfield by Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Captain Bruno Fernandes could begin out wide again, just as he did against Atletico Madrid, with Bryan Mbeumo likely to lead the line up top.
Leeds team news
The hosts are unchanged from the side that lost to Arsenal last weekend.
Carrick remains focused
Ducker: Echoes of Amorim exit as Carrick heads to Leeds under pressure
Just 10 months on from Ruben Amorim’s final game in charge of Manchester United, the club return to Elland Road on Sunday afternoon with another manager under pressure and the director of football again in the spotlight.
The difference is Michael Carrick still has a chance to determine the course of his United future whereas Amorim had already sealed his fate after a furious bust-up with Jason Wilcox 48 hours before his last game ended in a 1-1 draw with Leeds and post-match fireworks.
But even for a club never far from a crisis, it seems remarkable to think they are back in a tailspin so soon after Amorim’s sacking in early January.
Today’s setting
Can Leeds pile more misery on Man Utd?
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of this mouthwatering Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Leeds United at Elland Road.
Quiet week in the world of Man Utd? Don’t be silly. Following a 2-0 defeat in the Champions League against Atlético Madrid in Spain on Wednesday, defender Lisandro Martinez launched an extraordinary attack on Man Utd’s director of football Jason Wilcox and the club’s hierarchy because of a dreadful start to the campaign, which has yielded two victories in nine games across all competitions.
The Argentine criticised Man Utd’s recruitment and said he expected more, but didn’t suggest Carrick was to blame. Martinez has since apologised for his outburst and met with Wilcox, Man Utd chief executive Omar Berrada and Michael Carrick, with Telegraph Sport understanding that he’s free to play today, although his role remains unclear as we all eagerly await the team news.
Carrick is under immense pressure to get a result here in Yorkshire, with last weekend’s 1-1 draw with 10-man Tottenham at Old Trafford condemning Man Utd to their worst league start for 40 years.
With all eyes on the visitors, Leeds will be licking their lips at the prospect of piling further misery on their beleaguered opponents. Daniel Farke’s side suffered their first Premier League loss last weekend, falling 2-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates after going a goal up, but the mood remains positive after a solid start to the campaign.
Leeds are eighth and the club will be harbouring ambitions of a top-half finish in the Premier League for the first time since the 2019/20 season, with the prospect of qualifying for European football not out of the realm of possibility.
Unlike Man Utd, Leeds have a settled, reliable system that clearly suits their current squad. Elland Road will also be a cauldron of hostility and noise, given the fierce backdrop between these two bitter rivals.
This has all the ingredients to be a thrilling and fascinating watch as we bring you the latest updates, information and drama. Kick-off is at 14:00, with team news coming shortly.