Amorim must drop Man Utd flop after 4/10 display

Manchester United started 2026 with a 1-1 draw against 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 they worked hard to keep the home side at bay and finished with a point.

The first 45 minutes passed without either team having a clear chance. Dominic Calvert-Lewin hit the post with a header, but a combined expected goals total of just 1.4 xG suggests it wasn’t the most gripping game.

It was Daniel Farke’s team which took the advantage, a little over an hour after the start of the match. Attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson managed to slip behind young defender Ayden Heaven on a loose ball, carrying it into the penalty area and slotting home to send Elland Road into pandemonium.

The Red Devils managed to fight back, just three minutes into Leeds’ opener. It was Brazilian striker Matheus Cunha who scored, after being exceptionally pierced by substitute Joshua Zirkzee. United’s number ten took his chance well, beating Lucas Perri for the first time with his right foot.

On Sunday, the attack was renewed, with Amorim again adapting the front line in response to numerous absences.

How Man United adapted in attack against Leeds

It’s no secret that United have been hit hard by offensive absences of late. Amad and Bryan Mbeumo are at the CAN, and Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo are injured. This required some adaptation on the part of Ruben Amorim.

We’ve already seen the Red Devils boss play four on Boxing Day, before switching to his preferred 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 move up higher and Leny Yoro replace Zirkzee from the start. This meant the Dane played as United’s right number 10, where his intensity with the ball was important, although he struggled to possess possession, perhaps because he was playing more closely than against Newcastle United on Boxing Day.

Although he kept the same system throughout the match, Amorim replaced Yoro with Zirkzee in the 63rd minute. This saw Dorgu play winger and Diogo Dalot right centre-back.

With the lack of attacking options on the bench, this adaptation could perhaps be seen as an attempt to buy United a goal. Of course, Zirkzee made an immediate impact.

Despite the changes Amorim made, there was still a struggling attacker.

Man Utd’s most disappointing player against Leeds

It was another tough day at the office for summer signing Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenian star has failed to add to his two Premier League goals this season, and although he has had a few brighter moments linking up the game, he has generally struggled to make an impact at Elland Road.

His game stats really reflect that. The former RB Leipzig star touched the ball 51 times, but lost it 14 times. He failed to complete a dribble, create a chance, complete a cross or win a tackle.

Overall, it was a really disappointing performance from United’s number 30. One person who criticized Sesko full-time was Goal journalist Richard Martin. He rated the striker 4/10 after the match, explaining that he “seemed to exasperate his teammates with his lack of movement”.

It will be fascinating to see what the immediate future holds for Sesko. He’s a player whose “confidence has been hit”, according to Martin, and the Red Devils really need someone up front who’s shooting at the moment.

Amorim has options at his disposal if he wants to exclude Sesko from the side as well. Zirkzee is the natural replacement, and he could also create fluid rotations with Cunha, another player who can operate as a number nine.

Either way, his form needs to improve soon, otherwise United may struggle to consistently improve in front of goal. For a team already struggling with offensive absences, Sesko’s lack of form comes at a bad time.

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