LEEDS 1-1 MAN UTD: Dominic Calvert-Lewin may have cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo's opening goal but Michael Carrick's side stopped the rot after two defeats since the international break

The spoils were shared at Elland Road as spirited Leeds came from behind to earn a draw with Manchester United. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Dominic Calvert-Lewin meant that both teams had to settle for 1-1, just as they did in the same fixture last season.

Michael Carrick went into the clash between these old foes fearing a third consecutive defeat, and while his side stopped the rot, it's their worst-ever start to a Premier League season. But Leeds rallied in the second period and were worthy of a point themselves.

The headline from from the team news was that Lisandro Martinez kept his place in United's starting line-up, despite his attack on the club's hierarchy in midweek and subsequent fine. Jason Wilcox, who was targeted by Martinez in his explosive post-match rant, made the trip to Elland Road, his old stomping ground as a player.

Martinez's day would only last 45 minutes, having to be substituted at half-time with United leading 1-0. Leeds, on the other hand, named the same starting XI for the fifth Premier League game running.

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Carrick's 'massive' tactical change pays dividends

Something had to change, didn't it? Without Benjamin Sesko for the vast majority of the season, Manchester United's attack has been blunt.

Michael Carrick has tried both Mbeumo and Joshua Zirzkee up front, but he opted for something different at Elland Road. United's midfield resembled a square, with Bruno Fernandes and Your Tielemans well in front of Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba, while Mbeumo and Amad were deployed as wide forwards.

It was - in the words of Gary Neville - a 'massive' tactical change that left the Red Devils without a traditional striker, but gave them numbers to create overloads and a fluidity which Leeds found difficult to handle. Fernandes and Tielemans made United's intentions clear by relentlessly pressing the hosts' backline in the opening exchanges.

The system almost paid dividends with 27 minutes on the clock, as runs from Fernandes and Diogo Dalot opened a gaping hole in the Leeds penalty area. Mbeumo charged into the space and met Tielemans' cross. With no one marking him, the United forward looked certain to score. Instead, his header flashed wide.

Mbeumo wouldn't make the same mistake when the next chance came his way, again courtesy of Tielemans. This time, the Belgian played a low ball across the box and when James Trafford opted not to come, Mbeumo used his pace to get there first and slid home a deserved opener.

It was the first time that United had led at half-time in a Premier League game this season. The untimely departure of Martinez prompted Carrick to alter his system, bringing on Noussair Mazraoui and going to a three-at-the-back formation.

Bogle impresses again as Leeds rally

It speaks to England's strength in depth at right-back that there's been little talk of Jayden Bogle getting a call-up amid his good run of form. His impressive 2025-26 season was rewarded in the summer when Leeds handed him a new four-year contract, and it's easy to see why Daniel Farke wants to keep him.

The 26-year-old was Leeds' best player in the first half, causing Dalot problems with his runs both inside and out. Bogle picked up where he left off at the start of the second period, curling in a teasing cross that a Leeds team-mated failed to get on the end of.

Somewhat surprisingly, the Whites' equaliser came from another source. After Mazraoui gave away a cheap corner, Anton Stach's ball was flicked on by the head of Tarik Muharemovic and finished by Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who evaded Baleba and outstrengthed Mbeumo to level the scores.

Yoro finding his feet in new role

Three seasons, three managers, Leny Yoro hasn't had it easy settling in at Old Trafford. But is right-back where he'll finally nail down a place in Carrick's first XI?

Since his £52million move from Lille, Yoro was exclusively used as a centre-back - until this month. Although the Frenchman was (harshly) sent off against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, he's impressed out wide.

Yoro's defensive work was solid and he could've had an assist when Fernandes fired just wide of Trafford's goal midway through the second half. With Martinez, Ayden Heaven and Luke Shaw sidelined, and Matthijs de Ligt not yet match fit, having a defender who looks to be coming into his own is a timely boost for Carrick.