Substitute Joshua Zirkzee provides vital assist as United fight back to 1-1 draw but miss chance to break into top four.
LEEDS — Manchester United needed a swift equalizer from Matheus Cunha to earn a 1-1 draw away to old rivals Leeds United in a fiercely contested Premier League match on Sunday.
Leeds had taken the lead in the 62nd minute when American midfielder Brenden Aaronson capitalized on an error by United’s young defender Ayden Heaven, finishing calmly past goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
United hit back just three minutes later, however, after the introduction of substitute Joshua Zirkzee. The forward slid a precise pass to Cunha, who prodded home from inside the box for his third goal in five matches.
The result leaves United in fifth place and winless in four of their last five Premier League matches, missing an opportunity to move into the Champions League places. For Leeds, the point extends their impressive unbeaten run to seven matches and moves Daniel Farke’s side eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Missed Opportunities in Feisty Encounter
The fixture was played with the intensity expected of one of England’s most historic rivalries. Leeds, who haven’t beaten United at Elland Road since 2002, pressed aggressively from the start, but it was United who created the better early chances.
Benjamin Sesko missed a clear opening from a Casemiro pass, while Diogo Dalot fired over from inside the area. Leeds came closest when Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header struck the post just before halftime.
After Aaronson’s opener, United manager Rubem Amorim responded by bringing on Zirkzee, whose impact was immediate. Despite late pressure and a Cunha effort that clipped the post, United could not find a winner.
Amorim, still without injured captain Bruno Fernandes, deployed his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation but will be concerned by another inconsistent performance. His team have taken just five points from their last five league matches as their top-four ambitions continue to stutter.
