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Leeds United 1-1 Manchester United: Report, results, goals in Premier League

Read a report from Leeds vs Man United in the Premier League

Written by Ben Miller
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Leeds United 1-1 Manchester United: Report, results, goals in Premier League

Matheus Cunha slotted in a rapid equaliser for the striker’s fourth goal of the season to earn Manchester United a draw at Leeds United in the Premier League in both sides’ opening match of 2026.

Brenden Aaronson capitalised on ponderous defending by Ayden Heaven to beat the defender to a through ball and fire the hosts in front in the 62nd minute, putting Leeds on course for successive wins at Elland Road.

Cunha found the far corner of the net from inside the box on the right three minutes later and would have had a second but for his low first-time shot from the edge of the penalty area hitting a post 10 minutes from time.

Leeds, who are now eight points clear of the relegation zone, are next in action at Newcastle on Wednesday (20:15 GMT), when the Red Devils simultaneously visit second-bottom Burnley.

You can relive live text updates from the game here.

Leeds vs Manchester United: Premier League draw

Depleted United thought they had gone ahead early on when Cunha volleyed in from a Casemiro pass, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

Benjamin Sesko also spurned a presentable chance inside the six-yard box from Zirkzee’s centre shortly after United equalised.

The Whites extended their unbeaten run to seven matches, while United have won one of their last five, having drawn 1-1 at home to bottom side Wolves on Tuesday.

Leeds team vs Man United

Captain Ethan Ampadu was suspended for Leeds for collecting five yellow cards. In-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin was restored, as was Noah Okafor in place of Lukas Nmecha.

Centre-back Joe Rodon (ankle) and winger Daniel James (hamstring) were injured, but midfielder Sean Longstaff (leg) returned on the bench.

Leeds starting XI: Lucas Perri, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk, James Justin, Brenden Aaronson, Ilia Gruev, Anton Stach, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor

Leeds substitutes: Karl Darlow, Sean Longstaff, Joel Piroe, Lukas Nmecha, Jack Harrison, Ao Tanaka, Sam Byram, Wilfried Gnonto, Sam Chambers

Manchester United starting lineup vs Leeds United

Defender Leny Yoro replaced Zirkzee for Man United. Defender Godwill Kukonki, 17, was on the bench in place of Chido Obi.

Centre-backs Harry Maguire (hamstring) and Matthijs de Ligt (back) were short-term absentees, as were midfielders Mason Mount (knock) and Kobbie Mainoo (shin).

Playmaker Bruno Fernandes had a hamstring injury. Morocco wideman Noussair Mazraoui, Ivory Coast midfielder Amad Diallo and Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo were at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Manchester United starting XI: Senne Lammens, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot, Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha

Man United substitutes: Altay Bayindir, Joshua Zirkzee, Tyrell Malacia, Tyler Fredricson, Jack Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher, Shea Lacey, Bendito Mantato, Godwill Kukonki

Leeds United vs Manchester United stats

  • Leeds have won one of their last 20 Premier League games against Manchester United (D7 L12) and are winless in nine since a 1-0 home win in September 2002
  • They have only failed to score in one of their last 18 Premier League home games, a 0-0 draw with Newcastle in August
  • At Elland Road, dscored at least three goals in each of their previous three games
  • Their last longer such run in the top-flight was between October and December 1993 (5)
  • Manchester United had won their previous two away league games against Leeds – they’ve never won three consecutive visits to Elland Road
  • They are unbeaten in their last 26 Premier League games against promoted sides (W22 D5) since a 4-1 loss at Watford in November 2021
  • The previous previous meetings between the teams in their first league game of a calendar year had been a 0-0 draw in 1931, a 1-1 draw in 1958, a 2-1 win for Leeds in 1969 and a 0-0 in 1994
  • Each of United’s previous six draws in the Premier League this season had featured the Red Devils opening the scoring
  • They have conceded at least once in each of their last 15 Premier League away games, last having a longer run without an away league clean sheet between September 1985 and April 1986 (15)

Premier League fixtures and results this weekend

Matches start at 15:00 GMT / 07:00 ET / 04:00 PT unless stated otherwise.

Saturday, January 3

Aston Villa 3-1 Nottingham Forest

Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Burnley

Wolves 3-0 West Ham

Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal

Sunday, January 4

Leeds 1-1 Man United

Everton vs Brentford

Fulham vs Liverpool

Newcastle vs Crystal Palace

Tottenham vs Sunderland

Manchester City vs Chelsea (17:30)

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