Leeds vs Manchester United LIVE
After a painful watch against Wolves to end last year, Manchester United make a positive start to 2026 when they played Leeds. One of the biggest rivalries in the Premier League was renewed at Elland Road, where Ruben Amorim’s earned a point in the lunchtime kick-off after Matheus Cunha scored an immediate equaliser after Leeds went ahead through Brenden Aaronson.
Amorim this week hinted at friction behind the scenes at United with some cryptic comments around transfer strategy and this felt like a big game for his side as look to build some momentum. United continue to struggle for consistency and needed a response after their feeble display in the 0-0 draw with Wolves.
But Amorim was still without many of his best players and United faced a tough test against a Leeds side who are now unbeaten in seven games. Daniel Farke’s side held Liverpool to a draw at Anfield on New Year’s Day. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog.
Leeds vs Man Utd latest
- GOAL! Aaronson fires Leeds ahead
- GOAL! Cunha equalises for Man Utd
Manchester United goalscorer Matheus Cunha speaking to TNT Sports: "After the game against Wolves it was a little bit sad for us. Of course we want to win every single game, and then have a big opportunity to get into the top four.
"We need to keep going. After the draw, to come here isn't easy, we know how big this game is for everyone. But it is good to get a point here.”
Full-time: Leeds 1-1 Man Utd
14:22 , Giuseppe MuroIt ends all-square after a really good contest at Elland Road.
Leeds 1-1 Man Utd
14:21 , Giuseppe Muro90+3 mins: Stach fires wide from range. And that should be that.
Leeds 1-1 Man Utd
14:19 , Giuseppe Muro90 mins: A shot from Struijk is blocked and Manchester United scramble clear. Four minutes of added time.
Leeds 1-1 Man Utd
14:18 , Giuseppe Muro89 mins: Leeds want a penalty as a cross from the right deflects up onto the arm of Cunha. VAR has a look… no penalty. Leeds do have a corner…
Leeds 1-1 Man Utd
14:15 , Giuseppe Muro87 mins: Chance for Leeds! So close from Piroe, who has just come on and bends a curling effort onto the roof of the net with his first touch.
Leeds 1-1 Man Utd
14:12 , Giuseppe Muro85 mins: Into the final five minutes at Elland Road. Can either side find a late winner?
Leeds 1-1 Man Utd
14:09 , Giuseppe Muro80 mins: Cunha hits the post! Dorgu cuts the ball back to Cunha on the edge of the area and he bends an effort onto the outside of the post with Perri beaten. Cunha has been good today.
Leeds 1-1 Man Utd
14:08 , Giuseppe Muro76 mins: Zirkzee involved again as he tries a through ball to Cunha. His ball is too heavy but that was a good idea. Manchester United fans will be wondering why Zirkzee didn’t start.
Leeds 1-1 Man Utd
14:04 , Giuseppe Muro73 mins: Chance for Sesko! Zirkzee has made a real impact since coming on. He crosses from the left but Sesko can’t direct his effort on target and a good chance goes begging. Sesko should have done better there.
Leeds 1-1 Man Utd
14:02 , Giuseppe Muro69 mins: Chance for Leeds! What a game this has turned into. A long throw from Gudmundsson falls to Okafor, whose goalbound effort to clawed away by Lammens
GOAL! Leeds 1-1 Man Utd | Cunha 65’
13:54 , Giuseppe MuroImmediate response from Manchester United! Cunha latches on to a through ball from Zirkzee, who was brought on immediately after the Leeds goal, and slots past Perri. Two goals in three minutes!
GOAL! Leeds 1-0 Man Utd | Aaronson 62’
13:49 , Giuseppe MuroWhat a finish from Aaronson! Heaven has played so well this afternoon but that was poor defending from the youngster, who gets caught cold and Aaronson makes no mistake by firing past Lammens.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
13:48 , Giuseppe Muro60 mins: Manchester United haven’t got going in the second half. Will we see some changes soon from Amorim?
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
13:43 , Giuseppe Muro56 mins: Good defending from Yoro to stop Okafor and concede a corner. Both Yoro and Heaven have done really well today in a difficult atmosphere. Lammens just gets a fingertip on the resulting corner and Manchester United clear another corner.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
13:42 , Giuseppe Muro54 mins: Good work from Cunha who gets to the byline, his cross is cut out but Manchester United recycle the ball. Casemiro crosses from Sesko who heads wide with the offside flag up
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
13:38 , Giuseppe Muro51 mins: Chance for Leeds! Manchester United are on the back foot here. A long ball forward causes problems and Yoro is forced to come across and hack clear. Leeds then send another long throw into the box and the ball comes back to Gudmundsson who forces Lammens into a smart save from a tight angle.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
13:36 , Giuseppe Muro48 mins: A long throw into the box from Leeds causes a problem in the Manchester United box but they eventually clear.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
13:34 , Giuseppe Muro47 mins: Leeds have started the second half on the front foot. Cunha looks United’s biggest threat from open play.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
13:32 , Giuseppe Muro46 mins: Back underway at Elland Road…
Leeds had an 0.32 expected goals in the first half compared to 0.67 for Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim’s side had 12 touches in the opposition box compared to eight for Leeds.
The visitors shaded possession with 54 per cent.
This was the closest either side came in the first half...
So close 🤏
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 4, 2026
Leeds almost strike first as Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header brushes the post.@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/56K7EaeJ01
Half-time: Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
13:19 , Giuseppe Muro45 mins: Dorgu shoots wide from range and that’s the last chance of the first half. Calvert-Lewin has come closest so far but Manchester United have created chances.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
13:12 , Giuseppe Muro40 mins: Two chances for United! Superb reflex save from Perri to tip Yoro's header over. From that corner, the ball falls to Cunha who volleys over from inside the area. That was a decent chance but he needed to keep it down.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
13:09 , Giuseppe Muro37 mins: The volume has turned up inside Elland Road again since that chance for Calvert-Lewin. Leeds are definitely on top now in the last five minutes. Surely Leeds need to be sending more crosses into the box.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
13:08 , Giuseppe Muro35 mins: Leeds hit the post! That’s the closest either side have come. Calvert-Lewin meets a brilliant cross into the box and his header hits the post with Lammens beaten. That was slack marking from Manchester United and you fancied Calvert-Lewin to score there given his form.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
13:06 , Giuseppe Muro34 mins: United send a high ball into the box, the ball gets headed on and United clear. VAR check for a penalty for a foul by Martinez but there’s nothing in that.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
13:05 , Giuseppe Muro32 mins: First yellow card of the afternoon goes to Dorgu for a late challenge on Calvert-Lewin in the centre circle right in front of the referee.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
13:03 , Giuseppe Muro31 mins: Aaronson drives forward, things open up and he shoots wide from outside the area.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
13:02 , Giuseppe Muro29 mins: Chance for United! They win a corner on the right which come back to Dalot in a good position but he can’t keep the ball down with his left foot and his effort sails over.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
12:57 , Giuseppe Muro24 mins: The corner is swung into the box and Leeds fans want a penalty for handball on Dalot. VAR has a look but the ball deflected off his knee onto his arm and that’s the right decision.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
12:55 , Giuseppe Muro23 mins: Leeds come forward through Okafor but excellent defending from Heaven stops any danger but concedes a corner.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
12:53 , Giuseppe Muro21 mins: Maritnez shoots from range and his shot is blocked. United then win a corner on their left, which comes to nothing as the referee blows for a foul on the Leeds goalkeeper.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
12:52 , Giuseppe Muro20 mins: Great header from Shaw at the back post to clear a dangerous high cross into the box. Brilliant defending.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
12:51 , Giuseppe Muro17 mins: It was always going to be a difficult start for Manchester United with how pumped up Elland Road was and they have dealt well everything so far.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
12:48 , Giuseppe Muro15 mins: Chance for United! Casemiro slips in a lovely ball for Sesko, who’s shot is blocked by a good covering tackle from a Leeds defender. Did Sesko take too long there?
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
12:48 , Giuseppe Muro12 mins: United have started pretty well here and are moving the ball much quicker than they did against Wolves on Tuesday. Amorim will be pleased that his side are getting some decent positions.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
12:41 , Giuseppe Muro9 mins: First sight at goal for Leeds, as Calvert-Lewin fires over from inside the area. The former Everton striker is going to be a threat for Leeds this afternoon.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
12:39 , Giuseppe Muro8 mins: Cunha finds the ball in the net with a brilliant volley… but the flag was already up for offside. He caught that so sweetly but replays confirm United were offside from the long ball forward.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
12:37 , Giuseppe Muro6 mins: It’s been a frantic start but United are matching Leeds for intensity early on.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
12:36 , Giuseppe Muro5 mins: Leeds are firing up for this. Dalot launches a long throw into the box which Leeds to a header from Ugarte which goes over.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
12:36 , Giuseppe Muro3 mins: United actually seem to be interchanging between a back three and back four. Martinez is stepping up at times but when Leeds attack he slots back into a back three alongside Heaven and Yoro.
Leeds 0-0 Man Utd
12:33 , Giuseppe Muro2 mins: United kicking from left to right and as expected they line up in a back three with Dorgu in an advanced role as the right-sided No10. It’s a freezing cold day at Leeds and the low sun is shining in the eyes of Manchester United goalkeeper Lammens.
Kick-off!
12:30 , Giuseppe Muro1 mins: Underway at Elland Road...
Elland Road is LOUD as ‘Marching on Together’ rings around the stadium. How will Manchester United deal with this atmosphere?
The teams have just walked out into what is a caldron at Elland Road. There is really animosity between these two clubs, the crowd are right up for this one.
The atmosphere is really building now inside Elland Road with kick-off is now just 10 minutes. Here’s a reminder of the teams the afternoon...
Leeds XI: Perri, Gudmundsson, Struijk, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson, Bijol, Stach, Okafor, Bornauw, Justin, Gruev
Subs: Darlow, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Harrison, Tanaka, Byram, Gnonto, Chambers
Manchester United XI: Lammens, Yoro, Martinez, Heaven, Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Shaw, Dorgu, Cunha, Sesko
Subs: Bayindir, Fredricson, Kukonki, Malacia, J. Fletcher, T. Fletcher, Lacey, Mantato, Zirkzee
Looking at the shape of Manchester United in their warm-up, it looks like Patrick Dorgu is one of the No10s and Luke Shaw is at left wing-back.
Farke: Play with fire in the heart and cool in the head
12:09 , Giuseppe MuroDaniel Farke says Leeds are “underdogs” at Elland Road this afternoon but insists they can beat anyone at home.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Farke said: “We are a newly-promoted side and against such a big club you are always a bit the underdog.
“But we also know that if we are at the top of our game… and at home we always know we have a chance, it doesn’t matter who we play.
“The supporters play a significant role here at Elland Road. We have to find the balance between playing with fire in the heart and cool in the head.”
A reminder of how things stand in the Premier League.
A win for Manchester United will see them climb into fourth, while victory for Leeds would see them leapfrog Bournemouth and into 15th and 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
Amorim explains Man Utd team selection
11:55 , Giuseppe MuroRuben Amorim has been explaining his team selection at Elland Road and why Leny Yoro starts over Joshua Zirkzee.
Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the game, Amorim said: "It was just thinking about what we are going to face today.
“Trying to make the team comfortable to win the game and we don't have a lot of options, but we are ready to be competitive.”
Match Officials
11:50 , Giuseppe MuroHere’s today’s match officials at Elland Road...
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Video Assistant Referee: James Bell
Assistant Referee 1: Neil Davies
Assistant Referee 2: Scott Ledger
Fourth Official: Robert Jones
Assistant VAR Official: Ian Hussin
Lisandro Martinez captains Manchester United again today in the absence of Bruno Fernandes.
It is a young bench for United, with Bendito Mantato in the squad again following his senior debut against Wolves.
Godwill Kukonki is a fresh as he replaces Chido Obi on the bench.
Leeds vs Manchester United stats
11:40 , Giuseppe Muro- Leeds have only failed to score in one of their last 17 Premier League home games, a 0-0 draw with Newcastle in August. They’ve scored at least three goals in each of their last three at Elland Road.
- Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 25 Premier League games against promoted sides (W22 D3) since a 4-1 loss at Watford in November 2021.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored in each of his last three Premier League home games. He’s never scored in four consecutively before.
- Manchester United have conceded more equalisers than any other side in the Premier League this season, with teams levelling up against them on 12 occasions so far this term.
The big talking point at Manchester United this week was Ruben Amorim hinting at frustration behind the scenes as he refused to clarify recent comments about transfer plans at Old Trafford.
United spent big in the summer bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens and had looked at a January swoop for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.
But the winger's decision to join Manchester City has altered plans, with Amorim saying on Friday there had been no transfer conversations just a fortnight on from revealing activity was possible.
Some potentially illuminating Christmas Eve comments came in between those statements when the United head coach said: "I have the feeling that if we have to play a perfect 3-4-3, we need to spend a lot of money and we need time.
"So, I'm starting to understand that that is not going to happen. So, maybe I have to adapt."
Amorim moved away from his favoured back three to a four-man backline in the next game as United edged out Newcastle 1-0 on Boxing Day.
A return to a 3-4-3 followed for Tuesday's disappointing 1-1 draw against rock-bottom Wolves, which raised further questions about the squad ahead of Sunday's crunch clash at rivals Leeds and saw him pulled up on his Christmas Eve observations.
"I don't want to talk about that," the United boss said when asked to clarify what he had meant. "I just focus on the Leeds game."
Put to Amorim that he is normally more open and perhaps regrets those remarks, he said: "No, no, no. But I (don't) want to talk about that."
Asked whether something had changed - be it budget or being told something by director of football Jason Wilcox or others - to come to that conclusion a year in, the United boss replied: "I don't want to talk about that, but you are very smart, so..."
Leeds make two changes from the team that drew 0-0 at Anfield on New Year’s Day.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor come back into the starting XI in place of Lukas Nmecha and the suspended Ethan Ampadu.
So Manchester United have made one change from the side that drew 0-0 with Wolves.
Leny Yoro comes into the team in place of Joshua Zirkzee, which means six defenders in the starting line-up.
It looks like a 3-4-3 formation with a midfield two of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte.
Confirmed team news: One change for Man Utd
11:18 , Giuseppe MuroLeeds XI: Perri, Gudmundsson, Struijk, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson, Bijol, Stach, Okafor, Bornauw, Justin, Gruev
Subs: Darlow, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Harrison, Tanaka, Byram, Gnonto, Chambers
Manchester United XI: Lammens, Yoro, Martinez, Heaven, Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Shaw, Dorgu, Cunha, Sesko
Subs: Bayindir, Fredricson, Kukonki, Malacia, J. Fletcher, T. Fletcher, Lacey, Mantato, Zirkzee
Team news coming up from Elland Road shortly...
Leeds fury at fixture scheduling
11:02 , Giuseppe MuroDaniel Farke says Leeds against Manchester United is “more than a game” in his programme notes.
The Leeds boss has also expressed annoyance with the scheduling.
“It is very disappointing that the scheduling of this fixture, at the earliest opportunity on a Sunday, after playing on the Thursday evening beforehand, has happened,” he said.
“It is not good given how many players we have missing and especially as Manchester United have had two days extra rest.”
Head to head history and results
10:53 , Giuseppe MuroManchester United have dominated this fixture down the years and are unbeaten against their rivals in seven meetings.
Leeds have not beaten the Red Devils at home since 2002.
Leeds United wins: 26
Manchester United wins: 50
Draws: 37
Amorim urges Man Utd to ignore Elland Road noise
10:46 , Giuseppe MuroRuben Amorim says Manchester United need to ignore the Elland Road noise and focus on their performance this afternoon.
A hostile atmosphere awaits United in the lunchtime against Daniel Farke's promoted side.
Leeds are on a six-game unbeaten run having secured a goalless New Year's Day draw at Liverpool and are desperate to beat Manchester United for the first time since 2010.
"I heard that it is a big derby, a great environment," said Amorim. "A big rivalry.
"But every game in the Premier League is tough for us, so it's one more game.
"I know that it means a lot to the fans, but we need to go there and try to win."
Leeds vs Manchester United match odds
10:37 , Giuseppe MuroLeeds United to win: 13/8
Manchester United to win: 17/10
Draw: 12/5
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
The scene is set at Elland Road...
Arrived in West Yorkshire 📌
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 4, 2026
🤳 @Snapdragon x #ShotOnSnapdragon pic.twitter.com/shIY4XueIf
Prediction
10:29 , Giuseppe MuroFacing Liverpool and Manchester United in the space of three days is a massive ask of Leeds.
Having fewer days to recover could prove to be the determining factor, even if Ruben Amorim is without several key players.
We expect an entertaining back and forth battle at Elland Road with both sides forced to settle for a share of the spoils.
2-2 draw.
Manchester United team news
10:21 , Giuseppe MuroManchester United are not expected to have any of their injured players back, so Ruben Amorim is set to remain without Bruno Fernandes, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount.
Amorim has been weighing up whether to return to a back four.
Amorim switched to a four-man defence for the Boxing Day win over Newcastle but reverted to his 3-4-3 system in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Wolves.
The United boss said that move was to counter Wolves’ own three-man defence and Leeds boss Daniel Farke also starts with a back three.
That could suggest a back-three for United but they were dreadful against Wolves so Amorim may opt to switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Leeds team news
10:13 , Giuseppe MuroLeeds are without Ethan Ampadu, who is serving a one-match ban.
Daniel James, Sean Longstaff and Joe Rodon remain sidelined but Daniel Farke hopes to have Ilia Gruev and Sebastiaan Bornauw available after they impressed at Liverpool on New Year’s Day.
How to watch
10:05 , Giuseppe MuroTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports. Coverage starts at 11am GMT on TNT Sports 1 ahead of kick-off at 12.30pm.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from 5.15pm GMT with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.30pm.
Good morning!
10:00 , Giuseppe MuroHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of the Leeds vs Manchester United!
One of the biggest rivalries in the Premier League is renewed on a big day at Elland Road.
We’ll have all the latest updates and build-up right here, ahead of the kick-off at 12.30pm.
