Following a tumultuous few days off the field, Ruben Amorim managed to navigate the challenges at Elland Road, securing a gritty draw.

Achieving a stalemate on this side of the Pennines isn’t straightforward for Manchester United, particularly when contrasted with the lackluster 1-1 draw against Wolves at Old Trafford that left fans discontented.

Despite the absence of eight senior players due to injuries and the Africa Cup of Nations, the result was commendable. It unfolded amid rising tensions between Amorim and the Manchester United management concerning the January transfer dealings, and a loss here would have intensified the scrutiny on the club.

Leeds, on the other hand, found this outcome acceptable, although Daniel Farke’s squad might rue the missed chance to defeat a weakened United. Nonetheless, they’re now seven games unbeaten, gradually moving away from the relegation zone.

Amorim opted for a defensive strategy, making one alteration with Leny Yoro stepping in for Joshua Zirkzee. His tactical choices have become a point of intrigue, especially after facing criticism for adopting a back-three against Wolves, following a successful back-four setup against Newcastle on Boxing Day.

Matheus Cunha helped rescue a point for Manchester United on a frustrating day in Yorkshire

Brenden Aaronson had drawn first blood for the home side just minutes before after an hour

Patrick Dorgu, who clinched victory that night after shifting to an offensive role on the right, started again in a 3-4-3 formation, showcasing his flexibility and impact.

Amorim has had to call on some young substitutes in recent weeks, and 17-year-old Godwill Kukonki was added to them here in an environment that could hardly be more intimidating for a United player. Fortunately only Zirkzee was required.

‘It’s trying to put the team comfortable to win the game. We don’t have a lot of options but we are ready to be competitive,’ said Amorim as kick-off approached on his first game at Elland Road.

‘Everyone in the club talks about that but I need to focus on what I can help the players with inside the pitch. It’s healthy to have this type of environment in football.’

Farke made two changes to the team that got a goalless draw at Anfield on New Year’s Day as Noah Okafor came in or suspended captain Ethan Ampadu and Dominic Calvert-Lewin returned in attack. Both players were a thorn in United’s side.

Calvert-Lewin has been key to Leeds’ recent resurgence, scoring seven goals in as many games that had seen Farke’s side secure 10 points.

It was a big test for Ayden Heaven to mark the Leeds dangerman and he did a good job in the first half aside from one moment in the 35th minute when United failed to clear their lines and Anton Stach had time and space on the right to swing in a cross. It found Calvert-Lewin unmarked and his stooping header beaten Senne Lammens and clipped the outside of the far post.

It was the nearest we came to a goal in a tight first half which United just about edged as they managed to take the sting out the occasion – if that’s possible in this fixture at Elland Road.

Ruben Amorim and Co will have to wait a little while longer to get back to winning ways

Back in the squad, Dominic Calvert-Lewin came close to opening the scoring for the hosts

They settled quickly after a predictable start in which every Leeds tackle was greeted like a goal, and had the first attempt on goal. It was hopeful one, to be fair, after Diogo Dalot’s throw-in was cleared as far as Manuel Ugarte on the edge of the box and his long-range header landed on the roof of the goal.

Cunha, dropping deep at every opportunity in search of the ball and to help out on defence, then had the ball in the net but Benjamin Sesko had already been flagged offside before his half volley beat Lucas Perri.

Calvert-Lewin is a striker brimming with confidence and intent at the moment, and he fired a warning shot in the ninth minute, stabbing an effort over the bar after Okafor and Aaronson had combined to give him a sight of goal.

Heaven was fortunate that he got a slice of the ball when he made a sweeping challenge on James Justin, and Dorgu picked up the first booking of the game – surprisingly as late as the 34th minute – when he floored Calvert-Lewin right in front of referee Jarred Gillett.

United finished the half stronger and created their best chance in the 40th minute. It arrived in between Dalot firing high into the Don Revie Stand and Dorgu flashing a left-foot shot wide when passing to Luke Shaw, free to his left, was the better option.

Shaw delivered a corner from the right, Casemiro headed goalwards and Yoro had an opportunity to nod in from close-range but Perri produced a reflex save to turn the ball over.

However, Leeds came out after the interval determined to raise their game, with Okafor in particular proving a real handful for Yoro down the left.

Gabriel Gudmundsson forced Lammens into a low save at his near post and the United keeper then had to claw a corner away from under his crossbar before Aaronson scored from nothing just after the hour mark. 

Heaven passed out from the back on the right and was then caught cold when Pascal Struijk intercepted and clipped a ball over the top. While Heaven dithered, Aaronson sensed his opportunity and raced clear of the youngster before burying a shot wide of Lammens.

Ayden Heaven was tested by a sprightly Leeds attack looking to get on the front foot at home

Senne Lammens saw his goal peppered in the first-half but managed to keep the score level

As Elland Road erupted in celebration, Amorim summoned Zirkzee off the bench and sent him on for Yoro. The Dutchman took just 174 seconds to have an impact as Sesko knocked the ball down to him and he slid it through for Cunha.

The Brazilian was being pursued by Sebastiaan Bornauw but Perri inexplicably came out of his goal and made up Cunha’s mind for him. He steered a shot wide of the Leeds keeper and it rolled inside the far post.

Both sides went in search of a winner. Lammens made a great save to keep out Okafor’s overhead kick, and Sesko placed a lazy first-time effort wide of the post when Zirkzee got in behind to latch onto Cunha’s pass and pull the ball back to the Slovenian. Cunha then clipped the foot of the post from Dorgu’s pass.

Substitute Joel Piroe went close for Leeds in a rousing finish, but a draw was the fairest outcome at the end of a difficult few days for Amorim.