flag
back Back
Michael Carrick's poor decision sees Man Utd frustrated again by Leeds

Manchester United remain stuck on their winless run after Michael Carrick's side lost their lead against Leeds United in a feisty contest fitting of the rivalry

Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick was under pressure heading to Elland Road

Manchester United's winless run continued at Elland Road as Michael Carrick's side lost a first-half lead in a 1-1 draw against Leeds United.

A torrid week for United on and off the pitch was forgotten when Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a well-guided finish but Dominic Calvert-Lewin levelled early in the second-half with United still in the dressing room.

The major talking point heading into the clash was Lisandro Martinez's future after the defender's outburst at the board for failing to sufficiently back Carrick in the transfer window, comments for which he was fined for. But after issuing a statement and apologising to Jason Wilcox in particular, Carrick named the Argentine in his backline.

Senne Lammens
Manchester United improved but were unable to beat Leeds

And ironically, it was a lack of summer signings in defence which saw Carrick change his shape to match Leeds' back three. Leny Yoro, who it looked like would play at right-back, played in a right-centre-back role out of possession, with Amad Diallo outside of him on the right and Diogo Dalot at left-back.

Carrick's change comes with Luke Shaw out injured and Noussair Mazraoui out of favour, as he started all three summer signigns - Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba in midfielder, with Bruno Fernandes playing a support role off Bryan Mbeumo. A major positive at the back was the return of Matthijs de Ligt to the bench after almost a year on the treatment table due to a back injury.

LEEDS, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road on October 18, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring

That added steel in the United team meant they competed with a physical Leeds team, creating a feisty contest which failed to produce a chance until Senne Lammens was forced to push away a header from Nicol Elvedi from a Leeds free-kick in the 25th minute.

But the golden opportunity fell the way of Mbeumo just two minutes later, who was unable to find the target with a free header from six yards out, which he poorly put wide. The Cameroonian has only scored one header in his Premier League career, and it's no surprise.

However, Mbeumo didn't pass up the next opening as he slid in to turn Tielemans' cross into the bottom corner after latching onto the end of a low cross. A lead United had been knocking for, and deservedly took.

Manchester United's Portuguese defender #02 Diogo Dalot (L) vies with Leeds United's English defender #02 Jayden Bogle (R) during the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on October 18, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications.
The game was a feisty contest, fitting of the rivalry

Following the Reds' opener, Gary Neville beamed on commentary for Sky Sports: "Michael Carrick had to do something and he shifted it in a big way."

But Carrick was forced into a change at half-time, with Martinez dominating the headlines, he was only able to complete 45 minutes as he was replaced at the break for Mazraoui. The Moroccan was told to play the same role that the Argentine performed admirably in the first-half, rather than a complete change of shape.

Although there was a shift in mentality as United failed to get out of their own half for the first five minutes of the second half, allowing Leeds to keep the ball and eventually launched an attack that resulted in the equaliser just six minutes after the break.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised for Leeds

Mazraoui's rubbish header but the ball behind for a corner, which Leeds battled harder to win, and landed at the feet of Dominic Calvert-Lewin to smash the ball home from six yards out.

The goal changed the game and Leeds were the team winning the duels, but the visitors did eventually gain a footing back in the game. In need of a change to win the game, Carrick refused to turn to Matheus Cunha or Marcus Rashford to add pace and directness up front, instead taking off Baleba for Mason Mount with 15 minutes to go.

It took until the 84th minute for Cunha to be introduced, in place of Tielemans as United moved to three forwards and two attacking midfielders in front of Santos. Inexplicably, Rashford wasn't brought off the bench despite Amad being incredibly wasteful in possession and looking tired late on.

You may like

BBC pundit calls out Ivor Pandur after what he did moments before Dundee goal vs Rangers

rangersnews.uk 4 hours ago

Wayne Rooney's son Kai, 16, makes Man Utd U21 debut but it ends in heartbreak

The Daily Star 1 day ago

Brighton 5-0 Crystal Palace: Eagles suffer a historic defeat

newsshopper.co.uk 1 hour ago

Josh Gentles scores again as manager raves about Rangers ‘gem’ he’s found

rangersnews.uk 56 minutes ago

Leeds United player ratings vs Manchester United amid Calvert-Lewin milestone amid Ao Tanaka enigma

leeds-live.co.uk 1 hour ago

Man Utd signing on as Arsenal plan confirmed

footballtransfers.com 20 hours ago

Emi Martinez Posts Statement as Update on How Long He'll Be Out For Emerges

givemesport.com 9 hours ago

Lauren James fires Chelsea Women to 6-2 victory vs Spurs days after brother Reece’s injury heartb...

thechelseachronicle.com 1 hour ago

Kevin Danso ban details revealed as Sunderland left with defensive headache

chroniclelive.co.uk 27 minutes ago

€30m 'Rolls-Royce' would fix Man Utd's midfield

footballtransfers.com 9 hours ago