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Few of the near 40,000 that flooded the Elland Road terraces would have cared to admit it given the depths at which one of English football’s most intense rivalries runs, but it was hard to argue that this was anything but a well-earned point apiece that serves the intentions and ambitions of both Leeds and Manchester United well.
On first glance, a draw away at a relegation-threatened, newly-promoted side does little in terms of oozing positivity. But given the fact Ruben Amorim selected a starting lineup with nine defensive-minded players and the visitors were facing a Leeds side now on their longest unbeaten run in the Premier League since 2001, they will view this as a point gained.
This latest instalment of this rivalry may have felt every inch as vitriolic and hostile as historical encounters in the stands – you only had to witness the reaction to the visitors’ team bus arriving at Elland Road – but it didn’t quite feel that way on it; there wasn’t quite the bite of those infamous derbies of the 1980s and 1990s. That was evident at full-time, as the players from both sides embraced and debriefed what was a fairly low-key and often low-quality contest. To that end, there was perhaps no surprise both goals came predominantly from mistakes with Brenden Aaronson opening the scoring just after the hour mark before Matheus Cunha levelled just three minutes later.
Aaronson’s strike, a fine finish after Ayden Heaven misread a routine long ball over the top, had briefly given Leeds fans hope of a first league victory against their fiercest rivals since 2002. But Cunha’s finish, in which he caught Leeds’ goalkeeper Lucas Perri in relative no man’s land, gave the visitors a point they probably deserved.
And for both teams? It was likely to feel like one point gained rather than two dropped. For Amorim and Manchester United, it keeps them in touch with the Champions League scramble while for Leeds, they are now seven unbeaten and eight clear of the relegation zone after West Ham’s implosion at Wolves on Saturday.
“I think we did well,” Amorim said. “We improved a lot of things compared to the last game. We controlled the hostility of the offence from Leeds.” Questions remain over what is happening at United off the field, with the flames fanned further by some remarkable post-match claims over a possible internal clash on transfer policy once again.
He said: “Every department, the scouting department, the sporting director, needs to do their job. I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on.” But on an afternoon where there was little spark or drama on the field, he will likely view this as a decent enough point.
As for Daniel Farke, his decision to switch to a 3-5-2 has been a masterstroke. But Leeds continue to look a side capable of pulling away from trouble, especially when you consider they were without the likes of Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Jayden Bogle, who have all been influential in their resurgence.
But with similar shapes and Amorim starting nine defensive-minded players, there was perhaps no surprise the two sides cancelled each other out throughout a routine opening 45 minutes. Cunha thought he had opened the scoring before Benjamin Sesko was flagged offside in the buildup, and United’s only other chance was when Leny Yoro forced a save from Perri.
At the other end, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s glancing header struck the post but neither side had done enough to either stir their supporters into life, or threaten to take control of proceedings. But after the break, things came to life – ignited fully by Aaronson’s wonderful finish after Heaven’s mishap allowed the American to break through on goal.
Suddenly, Elland Road had come alive – but it had been stunned into silence once again three minutes later. Amorim called for Joshua Zirkzee immediately after that Leeds goal, and his threaded ball allowed Cunha to finish well and level the scores. Sesko, whose own travails in front of goal continued here, then struck a Zirkzee cross wide to continue his own barren spell.
He is still struggling in adjusting to the Premier League and while Amorim offered a firm defence of the Slovenian afterwards, two goals in 17 games is anything but a healthy return. Leeds’ best chance of a winner came when the substitute Joël Piroe curled an effort just over Senne Lammens’ crossbar but in truth, a goal for either side would have likely been harsh given the balance of play was so even.
“I’m proud of my lads,” Farke reflected. “To face a side of the calibre of Man United, it’s difficult and everyone tells you it’s the most important game for Leeds. So there’s lots of expectation and I’m very proud of the mentality of my players.”
