Manchester United left Leeds with another draw and another reminder of how thin the margin has become around Michael Carrick’s side. Bryan Mbeumo had given the visitors a first-half lead, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s reply after the interval extended United’s winless sequence to six matches in all competitions.
Lisandro Martínez returned to the starting XI only four days after the Argentine’s headline-making reaction following the Champions League defeat. He was on the pitch when Mbeumo struck in the 35th minute, yet did not emerge for the second half, by which point United held a 1-0 advantage.
Leeds found their equaliser in the 51st minute through Calvert-Lewin, denying Carrick’s team the result they badly needed. United have now won only one of their seven league fixtures this season, while their overall record stands at two victories from 10 matches across all competitions.
Despite the frustration of surrendering the lead, Carrick framed the point as something his players could use. He described it as “a platform to build on, without doubt”, as the pressure around the club continues to grow.
A long wait since Sabah
United’s most recent victory came on Thursday 10 September, when they opened their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win over Sabah FK. Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Martínez were all on the scoresheet that evening.
Since then, the Manchester club have recorded three draws and three defeats. Two of those losses came in UEFA competition, while Brighton eliminated United from the English League Cup in the third round.
The next continental trip takes Carrick’s side to Italy on Wednesday 21 October, when they visit Como 1907 in the third Champions League matchday. United then return to league duty at Old Trafford against Bournemouth on Sunday 25 October, with a demanding October calendar offering little time to turn an uneasy run into a recovery.
