Harry Maguire says Manchester United must find 'bravery' after Leeds draw eases pressure on Michael Carrick

Maguire calls for more courage after Elland Road point

Harry Maguire has said Manchester United must show more bravery despite digging deep to take a point from Elland Road, praising Michael Carrick's tactical change for producing a more resolute defensive performance.

Bryan Mbeumo gave the visitors a first-half lead before Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin levelled early in the second period of a high-intensity encounter. Carrick's side will be disappointed to surrender their first half-time lead of the campaign, but it was a far more convincing display at the end of a troubling week.

A change of shape

United lined up with no recognised centre-forward, with a midfield of Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba and Youri Tielemans stifling the hosts. Maguire said the switch had been worked on during the week.

"We worked on it this week," Maguire told Sky Sports. "We wanted to match them up without the ball and go quite aggressive. We knew we could get a lot of joy in the middle of the pitch with them only playing two in there."

Concern over courage on the ball

The defender felt his team lacked the courage to kick on at a ground where they have not lost for 24 years.

"That's probably the area of the game where we could have done more. We could have been a bit braver with the ball and taken the ball under pressure. But we're in a circumstance where we are not as brave as we should be, and we have to get that back because to win games for Manchester United we have to have that bravery and composure."

Pressure on Carrick eases, for now

United had lost away to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, so the point offered Carrick some respite. Lisandro Martinez remained in the starting XI after his outburst at transfer chief Jason Wilcox, which later led to an apology, before coming off at half-time with a knock.

Carrick described the game as a "tough game" and said: "Not getting too carried away because we didn't win the game. It felt like a fresh start... the boys are desperate to do well." His side now travel to Como for another European tie on Wednesday.

Farke frustrated

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke said he was "slightly disappointed" not to win, believing his team should have kicked on once level. They sit seventh in the standings.

"We should have kept up the dominance, too many strikes went over the crossbar but it was overall a solid performance. We should have won the game but we move on," he said.