Worst player on the team: Amorim must drop Man Utd flop after 4/10 display
Manchester United began 2026 with a 1-1 draw away to bitter rivals Leeds United.
The Red Devils struggled to consistently create chances in what was a cagey game, but with so many defensive players on the pitch, worked hard to keep the home side at bay and ended up with a point.
The first 45 minutes zipped by without either side having much of a clear-cut chance. Dominic Calvert-Lewin hit the post with a header, but a combined expected goals tally of just 1.4 xG suggests it was not the most gripping of games.
It was Daniel Farke’s side who took the lead, just over an hour into the clash. Attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson managed to nip in behind young defender Ayden Heaven onto a loose ball, carrying into the penalty box and slotting home to send Elland Road into pandemonium.
The Red Devils did manage to hit back, just three minutes after the Leeds opener. It was Brazilian attacker Matheus Cunha who bagged, after being slotted through exceptionally by substitute Joshua Zirkzee. The United number ten took his chance well, slotting home past Lucas Perri first time with his right foot.
It was a new look attack on Sunday, with Amorim adapting the frontline again in response to a lot of absences.
How Man United adapted in attack vs. Leeds
It is no secret that United have been hit hard by attacking absences of late. Amad and Bryan Mbeumo are at AFCON, and Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo are injured. It has required some adaptation from Ruben Amorim.
We have already seen the Red Devils boss play a back four on Boxing Day, before switching to his favoured 3-4-2-1 against Wolves for the final game of 2025. Against Leeds, Amorim kept that same system, but made personnel changes.
The main change saw Patrick Dorgu push higher up, and Leny Yoro replace Zirkzee from the start. It meant the Dane played as United’s right number 10, where his intensity off the ball was important, though he did struggle in possession, perhaps because he was playing narrower than he did against Newcastle United on Boxing Day.
Despite keeping the same system throughout the game, Amorim did replace Yoro with Zirkzee at the 63-minute mark. This saw Dorgu play wing-back and Diogo Dalot right centre-back.
With the lack of attacking options on the bench, perhaps this adaptation could be seen as one that was made in an attempt to buy United a goal. Zirkzee, of course, had an immediate impact.
Despite the changes made by Amorim, there was still one attacker who struggled.
Man Utd's most disappointing player vs Leeds
It was yet another tough day at the office for summer signing Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenian star failed to add to his two Premier League goals this season, and whilst he had a couple of brighter moments linking up play, generally struggled to make an impact at Elland Road.
His stats from the game really reflect that. The former RB Leipzig star had 51 touches of the ball, but lost possession 14 times. He failed to complete a dribble, create a chance, complete a cross, or win a tackle.
Sesko key stats vs. Leeds
Stat
Number
Touches
51
Possession lost
14x
Shots
3
Big chances missed
2
Expected goals
0.74xG
Dribbles completed
0
Chances created
0
Stats from Sofascore
Overall, it was a really disappointing showing from the United number 30. One person who was critical of Sesko at full-time was Goal journalist Richard Martin. He gave the striker a 4/10 post-match rating, explaining that he “seemed to infuriate his team-mates with his lack of movement.”
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It will be fascinating to see what the immediate future holds for Sesko. He is a player whose “confidence was shot,” according to Martin, and the Red Devils really need someone up front who is firing at the moment.
Amorim has options at his disposal if he wishes to drop Sesko from the side, too. Zirkzee is the natural replacement, and it might also create fluid rotations with Cunha, another player who can operate as a number nine.
Either way, his form must pick up soon, or United might find they struggle to get consistently better in front of goal. For a team that is already struggling with attacking absences, Sesko’s lack of form has come at a bad time.
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