Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Sun 4 January 2026 15:17, UK

Ruben Amorim would not have been impressed with several Manchester United stars after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds United on Sunday.

Brenden Aaronson found the opener for the home side, before Matheus Cunha levelled just three minutes later.

But it would ultimately be disappointment for Amorim‘s men, who have now won just three of their last 11 Premier League matches.

Here, Football Insider names three Manchester United losers from Sunday’s draw with Leeds.

Benjamin Sesko falters vs Leeds United

Benjamin Sesko has struggled since arriving at Manchester United, and it was a familiar story for the Slovenia international on Sunday.

Sesko has returned from injury, but he still looks to be working his way back to full fitness. The striker was dominated in the duel and struggled to leave any impression on his opposition defenders.

One early second-half chance saw him head the ball wide from the centre of the box. The flag was raised, but the finish spoke a lot about his lack of confidence.

Joshua Zirkzee‘s introduction was followed by an immediate assist for Cunha’s equaliser, further intensifying the focus on Sesko.

The Netherlands international set up a huge late chance for the forward, but he struck wide inside the box.

Manuel Ugarte continues to struggle

It is no surprise to see Manchester United consistently linked with midfielders. Kobbie Mainoo is expected to leave this month, and Amorim is still looking for his main man at the base.

Elliot Anderson is not expected to leave Nottingham Forest in January, but the Red Devils will certainly be involved in the conversation if he does in the summer.

And Manuel Ugarte‘s performance on Sunday helped show exactly why. The Uruguay international was constantly left wanting on the ball and struggled to keep up in the midfield.

One infuriating first-half moment saw the 24-year-old put way too much on what should have been a simple ball through to Patrick Dorgu, who was bearing down on goal.

While Ugarte offered several defensive contributions, Amorim will again have been left frustrated by the lack of quality in his midfield.

Patrick Dorgu is not a winger

It is not Dorgu’s fault that he has been asked to play on the wing in the absence of several Manchester United attackers.

But it was incredibly evident that he is not an attacking-minded player on Sunday.

The Dane seemed to give the ball away every single time he got it, failing to deliver even a promising ball across the box.

Gabriel Gudmundsson was tasked with handling the 21-year-old, and did it with ease. Dorgu won just seven of 16 ground duels on the day.