LONDON: Manchester United ended a turbulent week with a 1-1 draw against arch-rivals Leeds United in the Premier League, piling pressure on manager Michael Carrick.
The result at Elland Road saw United continue to struggle to find their best form after only recording two wins in nine matches in all competitions this season.
The club’s crisis also intensified after defender Lisandro Martinez criticized United’s management following the 0-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, midweek.
The Argentine defender claimed Carrick was not provided with a strong enough squad after a disappointing summer transfer window.
However, Carrick insisted the issue had been resolved and Martinez remained in the starting line-up against Leeds.
The match started with intense action from both teams, but dangerous opportunities were limited in the early stages.
United goalkeeper Senne Lammens was the first player tested when he successfully saved Nico Elvedi’s header which went into the top corner of the goal in the 26th minute.
United then increased the pressure and Bryan Mbeumo almost opened the scoring with a header that went wide before his effort was saved by Leeds goalkeeper James Trafford.
However, Mbeumo finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when he finished off Youri Tielemans’ low pass from the right for his fourth goal in the EPL this season.
Martinez was taken off at half-time and replaced by Noussair Mazraoui, but United failed to maintain their lead as Leeds equalised in the 51st minute.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin finished off a close-range chance after Tarik Muharemovic headed in a corner kick to revive the home side’s challenge.
Leeds then dominated most of the game and limited United to counter-attacks, forcing Carrick to bring on Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha in search of a winner.
However, both teams failed to score any more goals and had to settle for one point.
The result saw United remain in 13th place after only recording one win in seven league matches, while Leeds occupied seventh place.
In other action, Brighton seized second place in the league, at least temporarily, after thrashing Crystal Palace 5-0.