1 key pass, 100% duels, 8 clearances: United’s warrior was the heartbeat of his side in hostile draw with Leeds

Manchester United battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw against bitter rival Leeds United with Lisandro Martinez forming a rock at the heart of Ruben Amorim’s defence at Elland Road. Captain Fantastic Selected to captain his side for the third consecutive game in the absence of Bruno Fernandes, Martinez led by example with an all-action display. The Argentina international was stationed on the left of United’s back three, with Leny Yoro on the opposite side and Ayden Heaven in the centre. And the 27-year-old defender guided his younger teammates impeccably, showing he is a strong candidate to take on the armband permanently should Fernandes depart in the summer. Martinez was arguably United’s best passer as he helped progress play from deep, finishing the match with 86 touches – the second most in the team. He completed 59 successful passes from 70 attempts, including 15 balls into the opposition half, as well as one key pass for Matheus Cunha to run onto. But defensively El Caricero was even better, winning 100% of his duels – both on the ground and in the air – and making eight clearances, six recoveries and three interceptions, without ever being dribbled past. Leeds’ opening goal from Brendan Aaronson came after a lapse in concentration by the 19-year-old Heaven, which Martinez did his best to cover for, but was just a fraction too late with his challenge. Cunha’s equaliser just three minutes later was a brilliantly worked goal, as Martinez helped start the move and Joshua Zirkzee played the Brazilian in behind, who finished superbly. If the rest of the team had matched their skipper’s quality on the ball and his industry off it, the Red Devils would undoubtedly have left Yorkshire with all three points. Minutes 94 Passing (%)59/70 (84%) Key Passes1 Touches86 Tackles1 Interceptions3 Clearances8 Recoveries6 Ground Duels (won)1 (1) Aerial Duels (won)1 (1) Dribbled Past0 All statistics provided by Sofa Score Another Missed Opportunity United would have propelled themselves into the top four with a win this afternoon. Three points over their bitter rivals would have lifted them above the club’s other fierce enemy, Liverpool – who are currently in fourth. But, as has become customary in a frustrating season, Amorim’s men squandered another opportunity to stake a real claim for Champions League football next year. European qualification is one of the targets by which the Portuguese coach will be judged at the end of the campaign, but the Europa League is seen as acceptable as its bigger brother. And given the Red Devils’ inconsistent performances, the former feels far more likely than the latter at present, no matter how well their Argentinian warrior in defence plays. Featured image Molly Darlington via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.