United held 1-1 at Leeds as Carrick's winless run reaches six ahead of Como

United drop points at Elland Road

Manchester United failed to turn the corner at Leeds United on Sunday, settling for a 1-1 draw at Elland Road that stretched Michael Carrick’s side to six games without a win in all competitions and five without a win in the Premier League.

Bryan Mbeumo poked United in front from Youri Tielemans’ low centre, the same combination that had almost broken the deadlock earlier when Tielemans’ quality in the inside-right channel set the unmarked Mbeumo up to head wide. The lead was built on a more defensive shape, a 3-4-3 system with a back three shielded by twin defensive midfielders that Carrick described as a tweak.

Leeds responded through Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The striker, who has scored four goals in five games, ran away from Carlos Baleba and held off Bryan Mbeumo before meeting Nico Elvedi’s header and hooking in a shot soon after Noussair Mazraoui replaced Lisandro Martinez at half-time.

Martinez’s eventful week ended anticlimactically at the break after he had publicly backed Carrick following the Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid. The Argentine had been central to United’s first-half set-piece threat, but the visitors were breached again after his departure. United had earlier survived a warning from Anton Stach with Senne Lammens saving Elvedi’s header.

Carrick acknowledged the frustration but pointed to signs of togetherness.

"We are not getting too carried away because we didn’t win but if you keep doing the right things for the right reasons you get what you deserve in the end," said Carrick. "It wasn't a perfect performance, it wasn't our most unbelievable performance, but there was definitely a lot in there that you can show how together the group were. It felt like a fresh start today."

The draw continued a set-piece problem for United in Yorkshire, with three set-piece goals conceded there this season including Calvert-Lewin’s equaliser. Late drama was avoided when Noussair Mazraoui cleared off the line from Anton Stach in the 92nd minute.

Pressure persists but Conte move looks unlikely

United have now won only two of their ten games across all competitions this term and are without a victory in six matches. Even so, reports indicate Carrick is set to be given more time.

According to Express coverage cited by Football Italia, Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez publicly backed the coach in an explosive interview that went viral after the Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid, and the sentiment is privately echoed by senior figures in the dressing room. The newspaper wrote after the Leeds draw that the showing was "packed with the determination and resolve that proves it. Even though it lacked the cutting edge United needed in attack."

That backing appears to be keeping Antonio Conte from a mid-season move, despite several sources in Italy and the UK claiming the Italian coach is ready to replace Carrick. Carrick will therefore lead the Red Devils from the touchline on Wednesday when United visit Como in the Champions League Round 3.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke welcomed a point against a big opponent.

"It says a lot that we are even slightly disappointed with a point against Manchester United," Farke said. "You always have to be aware, it is still Manchester United. Many, many compliments to my players for a dominant performance against Man United."

Farke also noted United switched shape because of the opposition, adding: "It says a lot about how much respect we've earned."

United will travel to Como with both sides on three points from their first two Champions League games and a +2 goal difference. Como, who beat Fiorentina 3-1 on Sunday, have scored six and conceded four, compared with United’s four scored and two conceded.