Manchester United in unwanted 40-year first as miserable away record continues

Manchester United stooped to a new low as they fell behind to Leeds in their 1-1 draw in Sunday’s Roses derby.

After a goalless first half at Elland Road, Brenden Aaronson broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute, as he raced clear of Ayden Heaven to put the Whites 1-0 up.

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Getty

It sparked jubilant scenes from the home crowd, and piled the misery on the Red Devils, who recorded an unwanted first in the process.

By conceding to their Yorkshire rivals, Ruben Amorim‘s side have now conceded in 15 straight away league games – the first time in Premier League history.

This marked the first time since the 1985/86 campaign that United have shipped goals in as many consecutive games on the road.

Between September 1985 and April 1986, Ron Atkinson’s side recorded the same feat, but fortunately for United’s current crop, the disappointment didn’t last long.

The visitors hit back almost immediately, as Matheus Cunha equalised three minutes later after being played in by Joshua Zirkzee.

United held in back-to-back games

Cunha’s strike was enough to spare United’s blushes, as neither side were able to find a winner in the last 25 minutes.

Leeds looked the more likely to win the contest, with Joel Piroe going close late on with a curling effort.

This saw the two teams play out a draw at Elland Road for the first time since April 2021.

Daniel Farke’s side are now seven games unbeaten in all competitions, and have moved seven points clear of the bottom three.

Meanwhile, a point for United saw them momentarily move up to sixth, but they could be leapfrogged by Chelsea, Sunderland and Everton by the end of Sunday’s fixtures.

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Getty

But the result is unlikely to please the visitors, who have now won just once in their last five games.

Heading into the clash, Amorim had come in for criticism over his side’s display in a 1-1 draw against Wolves on Tuesday.

The Red Devils were held at home by the Premier League’s bottom club, with fans taking aim at their head coach for a lacklustre display.

Amorim was criticised for his side’s set-up, as he returned to his preferred 3-4-3 formation after starting with four at the back for the first time in a Boxing Day win over Newcastle.

Amorim’s explosive press conference

United’s head coach once again opted for a tried and tested 3-4-3 against Leeds, with his selection options limited.

He was unable to call upon a number of players for the clash, notably Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui owing to Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Captain Bruno Fernandes was also missing due to injury, as were centre-back duo Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, with Amorim forced to use academy stars Jack Fletcher and Bendito Mantato due to a lengthy absentee list.

And in his post-match press conference, the United boss appeared to hit out at his current circumstances, before dropping a bombshell by declaring he will leave the club when his contract comes to an end in June 2027.

He said: “I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United, that’s clear.

“I know that my name is not [Thomas] Tuchel, it’s not [Antonio] Conte, it’s not [Jose] Mourinho, but I’m the manager of Manchester United.

“It’s going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decide to change. So that was my point.

“I want to finish with that. I’m not going to quit. I will do my job not until the other guy is coming here to replace me.

“I just want to say that I’m going to be the manager of this team, not just the coach. And I was really clear on that.

“And that is going to finish in 18 months, and then everyone is going to to move on. That was the deal. That is my job, not to be a coach.

“If people cannot handle the Gary Neville’s and the critics, we need to change the club. No, guys, I just want to say that.

“I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach, and every department, the scouting department, the sport[ing] director needs to do their job.”