Manchester United were made to pay for lapse in concentration at Elland Road.
There have been too many times this season where one or two simple mistakes in a sequence of play undoes a positive performance.
That was exactly what happened in Manchester United’s draw at Leeds, where the team defended well, apart from the moment Leeds scored their goal.
A lapse of concentration led to Leeds going 1-0 up, before Matheus Cunha levelled the scores. We were unable to find a winner, and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
There will be an inquest back at Carrington into Leeds’ opener, and the fault has already been pinned on two stars.
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Man Utd duo cost ‘sloppy’ goal
The 62nd minute defensive lapse saw Brendan Aaronson steal in and take advantage to put Leeds 1-0 up.
In the post-match discussion on MUTV, former academy graduate Phil Bardsley led the discussion that picked out Diogo Dalot and Ayden Heaven for their mistakes in the lead-up to the goal.
Bardsley told the channel: “The goal was extremely sloppy.”
Presenter Mark Sullivan responded: “That’s a shame for Heaven, he seems to be a bit slow to get out to Aaronson there.
“But it was a misplaced pass by Dalot in the first place.”
Bardsley responded: “It was a sloppy pass inside from Dalot. The opposite defender’s intercepted it and just played a pass down the pitch. I don’t think he’s looked to pick out anybody. It’s just slid down one side and Aaronson’s onto it.”
Heaven had been one of Manchester United’s best players in the previous three games, and won the player of the month award in recognition of his performances.
The goal was a reminder that he is still only 19, and even promising young centre-backs will get caught out like that occasionally.
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Aaronson comments on goal
Goalscorer Aaronson said he took a gamble that Heaven had not spotted his run, and it paid off.
Speaking to Leeds media, he explained: “To be honest, I just was kind of just running in behind to see if I could get lucky.
“Sometimes you have to take a chance. The ball came to me.
“I think that the centre-back didn’t know that I was going to be kind of running off his shoulder like that. It was a good touch. And then it is just about putting it on target.
What do YOU think of Ruben Amorim’s latest comments? Is there trouble behind the scenes?
“I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the head coach.
“I know my name is not Conte, Tuchel, Mourinho but I’m the manager of Manchester United. It’s going to be like this for 18 months or until the board decide to change.
“I’m not going to quit. I’ll do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me.
Ruben Amorim
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