Manchester United’s search for a victory stretched to six matches after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s equaliser earned Leeds a 1-1 draw at Elland Road.
Bryan Mbeumo put Michael Carrick’s side ahead before half-time, but Calvert-Lewin struck shortly after the restart to preserve Leeds’ unbeaten home record since March.
The result leaves Manchester United 13th in the Premier League, three points behind their seventh-placed rivals.
United arrived following a difficult week in which Lisandro Martinez was fined for publicly criticising the club’s hierarchy, while defeat at Atletico Madrid had added to their frustrations.
Martinez retained his place in the starting line-up as the visitors faced an intense atmosphere and a physical opening.
Bruno Fernandes and Gabriel Gudmundsson were both booked for mistimed challenges before either team established much attacking momentum.
The chances eventually came at both ends.
Senne Lammens stretched to keep out Nico Elvedi, before an unmarked Mbeumo headed off target.
The forward made his next opportunity count, however, battling beyond James Justin to meet Youri Tielemans’ excellent pass and give United the lead 10 minutes before the interval.
Leeds responded early in the second half.
Tarik Muharemovic made the first contact with a corner, and Calvert-Lewin reacted ahead of Mbeumo to finish the loose ball.
Fernandes later dragged an effort wide, while Anton Stach sent a first-time strike over as both teams failed to find a decisive second goal.
United have now gone six games without a win in all competitions for the first time since the closing stages of the 2018-19 season.
Pressure builds on Carrick to deliver results
Carrick’s position may not yet depend on every result, but United’s slow start has increased the need for victories.
Their August success against promoted Ipswich Town remains their only league win this season, making this their lowest victory total after seven top-flight matches for 40 years.
Only five months have passed since Carrick received a two-year contract following an impressive interim spell after Ruben Amorim’s dismissal.
Amorim’s departure followed an outspoken attack on senior club figures after January’s visit to Elland Road.
Martinez’s comments this week brought internal tensions back into focus before another demanding trip to Leeds.
Despite that backdrop and their Champions League disappointment in Madrid, United showed resolve and togetherness in a hostile setting.
Their defending was largely disciplined, but a failure to deal with a corner ultimately cost them the lead.
There was encouragement in midfield, where summer signing Carlos Baleba brought energy and composure on his first Premier League start for the club.
Those improvements now need to translate into results.
Leeds continue to build under Farke
Leeds entered a Premier League meeting with Manchester United above their rivals in the table for the first time since September 2002.
Although Arsenal ended their five-match unbeaten start last weekend, Daniel Farke’s players carried confidence into the contest and enjoyed more possession and territory.
Clear opportunities were harder to produce, but their persistence paid off when Muharemovic and Calvert-Lewin combined for the equaliser.
Calvert-Lewin’s goal was his seventh in his past seven appearances at Elland Road and his fourth in seven league matches this season.
Leeds could not find the winner that would have secured their first home victory over Manchester United since 2002, but another point maintained their promising start.
Their unbeaten home league run now stands at eight matches, their longest such sequence since December 2001.
