Leeds United 1-1 Manchester United RATINGS: Who was the ‘best player on the pitch’? Which Red Devil ‘cut a frustrated figure’? And who from the visitors ‘struggled’ during draw?

Manchester United took a hard-fought and deserved point against fierce rivals Leeds United on Sunday lunchtime.

The Manchester United team, which did not yet have eight senior players and had to call 17-year-old defender Godwill Kukonki to the bench, weathered the first storm and managed to enter the halftime with a score of 0-0.

Leeds United responded to the uneasiness in the stands by stepping up and attacking Brenden Aaronsen’s only mistake of the entire game as Brenden Aaronsen raced to take a 1-0 lead.

However, the United team, although far from perfect, does not give up and they managed to get back into the game by introducing Joshua Zirkzee, the only away substitute, and Matheus Cunha.

Daily Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT was at Elland Road to take a look at Amorim’s side…

MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-3)

Senne Lammens – 6

He had the sun in his eyes in the first half and was pleased to see Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header hit the outside of the post rather than the inside. There were instructions to go long instead of playing from the back, and he followed these orders. He made a superb save to clear Noah Okafor’s overhead kick with the game tied at 1-1.

Leny Yoro – 6.5

He is in the squad instead of Joshua Zirkzee. It’s been a truly up-and-down season for the young Frenchman, but he’s handled it like a much older pro. He made a great save at the other end with a smart set-piece in the first half. He was preoccupied with Okafor all day, but he was ready for battle and answered his manager’s call before heading out.

Aydin Paradise – 6

He was playing with composure and just the right amount of aggression for an hour before making the costly mistake that allowed Leeds to take the lead through Brenden Aaronsen. Heaven stopped Aaronsen’s run after Diogo Dalot cleared the ball on the halfway line. It’s a stark reminder that at this level, one mistake can disrupt the entire game plan.

Lisandro Martínez – 8

The best player on the field. He brought experience, leadership and possession of the ball, which is crucial at venues like Elland Road where crowds go wild. He was one of the few players who felt brave enough to cross the lines. United got a little something out of this match thanks to the experienced Argentinian player.

Lisandro Martinez was the coolest player on the pitch and this was crucial in the 1-1 draw

Diogo Dalot-5.5

He was angry with himself when Martinez sent the penalty kick to the Z row in the first half. With Leeds leading 1-0, it wouldn’t have felt good to lose the ball so cheaply. He has excelled in many games this season, but here he has struggled to offer any dynamic creative outlet down the right side.

Manual Ugarte-6

Like the manager, he accepts a lot of criticism, and most of the time it can be justified. Still, this was a solid outing that also saw him help initiate counter-attacks, which isn’t something he looks to do often. More needs to be done – and so does everyone else – but you can live with performances like these.

Casemiro – 6.5

When Casemiro started to gain momentum with some hospital passes, alarm bells were undoubtedly ringing on the United bench. However, he is very experienced and so he quickly found a rhythm. United owe much to the experience of Casemiro and Martinez in securing a point above the likes of Chelsea and Crystal Palace here. It never seems to shy away when the pressure dial is turned to maximum.

Luke Shaw-6

He is a very experienced player, he will not have a more consistent final possession as United picked him out of some good positions, especially in the first half. There wasn’t much to write home about Leeds targeting the opposite flank.

Luke Shaw needs to work on his final ball but was reliable and composed in defence.

Patrick Dorgu – 5.5

As against Newcastle on Boxing Day, Dorgu again found himself in an attacking right-wing role. He showed early signs of promise but they couldn’t get him involved enough and he was taken off in the second half. Reservation made.

Benjamin Sesko – 5

There is a lack of belief and everyone can see it on the field. He has moments where he brings others into the game with some really decent build-up play, but he doesn’t make the more adventurous runs that Cunha made for the equalizing goal, for example. He was picked out from around six yards out in the second half and went agonizingly wide, which sums up his struggles in front of goal. With just two goals remaining since his £73.7million move, he needs to get a strike on target as soon as possible.

Matheus Cunha-7

For long periods he cut a frustrated figure; especially when his stunning first-half volley was disallowed for offside. He is being asked to carry this team on his back when there are so many missing players, and it doesn’t come as easily as it did at Wolves. However, he never gave up and his dogged run was rewarded with a draw and he later hit the post. It’s not for lack of trying.

DIRECTOR: Ruben Amorim – 6

He is under a lot of pressure but is without four of his six top scorers this season and leaves this lions’ den with a well-deserved point. It keeps them in contention for the top four and buys time to get players back. I got the game plan right for the most part.

Ruben Amorim has looked tired lately, but this was a positive performance

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Joshua Zirkzee (for Leny Yoro, 63) – 7.5

Against Wolves, he was a spark on the bench that he hadn’t had from the start. He played a decisive through ball for Cunha to equalize and then slotted past Benjamin Sesko from six yards, but the Slovenian flicked the ball wide. Added much needed creativity.

LEEDS UNITED (3-5-2): Fairy 5; Bornauw 6 (Gnonto 80), Bijol 7, Struijk 7.5; Justin 6, Gruev 6, Stach 7, Aaronson 7 (Piroe 87), Gudmundsson 6.5; Okafor 7.5 (Nmecha 75), Calvert-Lewin 6

DIRECTOR: Daniel Farke 6

REFEREE: Jarred Gillett 5

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