Four things we learnt as injury-hit United grind out 1-1 draw with fierce rivals Leeds

Manchester United travelled to a hostile Elland Road on Sunday afternoon to face Leeds United. The Red Devils started with Senne Lammens in goal as usual. Lisandro Martinez, Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro formed the back three. Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot started in the wing-back positions, with Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte forming the midfield duo. Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Patrick Dorgu made up the attacking trio. Here are four things we learnt from the match. United lacking creativity The Red Devils have been struggling for goals since the Africa Cup of Nations began. Bryan Mbeumo and Amad have been two of the team’s most creative players, and both have been unavailable since mid-December. There have also been unfortunate injuries to Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount, which have hindered United’s ability to attack. This was clear in the first half against Leeds, where United struggled to create many chances of note. With the fixtures coming thick and fast in January, it is something that supporters hope head coach Ruben Amorim can sort out soon. Same old striker story Benjamin Sesko has not had the easiest start to his United career, having been left out of the starting line-up regularly in August and September and picking up an injury in November. He has started more recently and hit the post in both matches over Christmas against Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Against Leeds, he tried hard but was unable to have much luck in front of goal. He was often isolated, and his teammates struggled to find him with balls in behind or crosses. Sesko could also do more and show more aggression, but United fans have seen this script before. Rasmus Hojlund struggled for two years leading the line for United, and now another young, inexperienced striker is carrying the same problems in 2026. Cunha rises to the challenge United are struggling without numerous attacking options, with Cunha and Sesko being the only attacking options on the pitch to start the game. Cunha scored a world-class goal early on, but it was judged offside and had significant moments of frustration. He kept plugging away and scored with a solid finish after a lovely ball by substitute Joshua Zirkzee. It was his fourth goal of the season and third in three weeks, as he has done his best to step up in the absence of United’s other attackers. He was inches from scoring a second late on but his shot from outside the box ended up flicking the post. Zirkzee makes a difference The Dutch forward was substituted off at half-time against Wolves in spite of scoring United’s only goal of the game. He also made an impact off the bench, playing a wonderful pass for Cunha to score. Zirkzee was also highly involved in a great chance that Sesko probably should have buried in the match. His future is unclear, with AS Roma very interested in his services, but he has certainly contributed in the last two matches under tough circumstances. Featured image Michael Regan 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 Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.