Matheus Cunha celebrates his equalizer for Man Utd against Leeds at Elland Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, Premier League round 20 on 4/1. Photo: Reuters

Man Utd played to a 1-1 draw with hosts Leeds in their Premier League round 20 clash on 4/1. Matheus Cunha netted the equalizer for the visitors after Brenden Aaronson had put Leeds ahead in the second half. The match, held at Elland Road, saw both teams create numerous opportunities but ultimately share the points.

Man Utd faced the game without several key players, including Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, and Amad Diallo. Coach Ruben Amorim opted for a defensive lineup, deploying 6 defenders and two defensive midfielders, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte. With only two genuine attacking players, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, the visitors struggled to generate significant scoring chances.

Leeds, however, crafted the most dangerous opportunity of the first half. Midfielder Anton Stach delivered a cross that found striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose diving header struck the post and rebounded. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens was left helpless, and thousands of home fans celebrated prematurely, believing the ball had crossed the line.

Three minutes later, Man Utd responded with a chance from Luke Shaw's corner. Casemiro headed the ball into the 5.5-meter box, where center-back Leny Yoro followed up with a close-range header. However, goalkeeper Lucas Perri reacted quickly to tip the ball over the bar.

Leeds' scoring opportunity. Photo: Reuters

After the break, Leeds continued their offensive push and this time made it count. Center-back Pascal Struijk's clearance inadvertently became a long through ball, catching center-back Ayden Heaven by surprise. American midfielder Brenden Aaronson capitalized on the moment, surging down the left side of the penalty area before firing a low shot across the goal to open the scoring.

Heaven, who had just been named Man Utd's player of the month for December, made a costly error in the first match of the new year. This sparked jubilation among tens of thousands of home fans, who celebrated wildly and even turned to mock the visiting supporters.

Man Utd, however, found an equalizer just three minutes later. Sesko played a lay-off to substitute striker Joshua Zirkzee, who then threaded a pass perfectly for Cunha. The Brazilian striker broke free on the right side of the penalty area and delivered a precise low shot across the goal. The ball slowly rolled into the net as goalkeeper Perri had advanced far out, allowing Man Utd fans to return the taunts to the home supporters.

Cunha nearly became the hero, almost securing three points for Man Utd with a long-range shot that hit the post in the 81st minute. Earlier in the first half, he had also scored from distance, but the goal was disallowed due to an offside teammate. In the remaining minutes, both teams had clear chances, with Sesko missing a close-range tap-in and Joel Piroe curling a shot just over the bar.

Xuan Binh