There’s nothing quite like the fierce rivalry between Leeds United and Manchester United to set pulses racing across English football. On Sunday, January 4, 2026, Elland Road once again played host to this storied fixture—one that marked a remarkable 100 years, three months, and two days since their very first top-flight clash back in October 1925. That day, Leeds emerged 2-0 victors, a result that ultimately kept them in the old First Division by the slimmest of margins. A century later, the stakes might have changed, but the passion remains every bit as raw.
Heading into the match, both teams found themselves at intriguing crossroads. Leeds, under the guidance of Daniel Farke, were enjoying their longest unbeaten top-flight run since 2001, having gone six games without defeat, including a gritty draw at Anfield on New Year’s Day. The Whites had been scoring freely at Elland Road, notching three or more goals in each of their last three home outings. Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin had been central to that surge, finding the net in all three of those games and chasing a personal milestone—four straight home league goals, a feat last accomplished by Mark Viduka in 2004.
Manchester United, meanwhile, arrived in Yorkshire with a point to prove and a squad stretched thin by injuries and international call-ups. Head coach Ruben Amorim was without the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, and Mason Mount, while Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, and Noussair Mazraoui were away at the Africa Cup of Nations. "I heard it is a big derby and a great environment... they have a lot of pace and, sometimes, we struggle with pace. It is going to be a tough game," Amorim admitted before kick-off. With such a depleted roster, United’s bench featured teenagers Jack Fletcher and Shay Lacey, making for a nervy afternoon for the visiting fans.
The match itself, broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, did not disappoint in terms of drama, even if it ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw. Leeds started brightly, with Calvert-Lewin coming agonizingly close in the first half—his powerful header from Anton Stach’s curling cross rattled the post, leaving the home crowd gasping. Noah Okafor also threatened, forcing a full-stretch save from United’s Senne Lammens with a spectacular overhead kick. Leeds’ attacking intent was clear, but Manchester United’s makeshift defense held firm through the opening 45 minutes.
It wasn’t until the 62nd minute that the deadlock was finally broken. Brenden Aaronson, who had been lively throughout, pounced on a positional error from United’s Ayden Heaven and finished superbly with a low strike past Lammens, sending Elland Road into raptures. For a brief moment, it looked as though Leeds might be on the verge of a rare victory over their bitter rivals—something they had managed only once in their previous 20 top-flight encounters.
But Manchester United, despite their struggles, responded almost instantly. Substitute Joshua Zirkzee, one of the few attacking options available to Amorim, threaded a clever pass through to Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian, who had already seen a goal ruled out for offside earlier in the contest, made no mistake this time, sliding his shot underneath advancing Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri just three minutes after Aaronson’s opener. It was only Cunha’s fourth goal since his high-profile £62.5 million summer move from Wolves, but it came at a crucial juncture for the Red Devils.
The closing stages saw chances at both ends. Cunha struck the post late on, nearly snatching all three points for United, while Benjamin Sesko—struggling for confidence and without a goal in nine games—missed a golden opportunity from close range after another Zirkzee cut-back. As the final whistle blew, both sets of supporters were left to ponder what might have been. For Leeds, the point extended their unbeaten run to seven games, pushing them eight points clear of the relegation zone and offering further proof of Farke’s steady hand since a rocky spell in November. "We have fought so hard over the last two years to be back on Premier League level to have these types of games... we want to show our strength and our skills again," Farke reflected with pride.
For Manchester United, however, the draw was yet another missed opportunity to climb into the top four. They remained sixth in the table with 30 points, three behind fourth-placed Liverpool. It was also a continuation of a worrying trend—United had now dropped 12 points from winning positions this season, matching their joint-most at the halfway mark of a Premier League campaign. Their record against promoted sides remained impressive (unbeaten in 25, with 22 wins and three draws), but their inability to close out games was drawing increasing frustration from the Old Trafford faithful. "Today, we could win but we had a lack of fluidity, a lack of quality and a lack of creation of chances," Amorim conceded after the final whistle.
Historically, this fixture has been dominated by the Red Devils. Since the Premier League’s inception in 1992, Leeds have managed just five wins in 34 league and cup meetings (nine draws, 20 losses), with only one top-flight victory over United in their last 19 attempts. Remarkably, Leeds had never lost three consecutive home games to Manchester United—and that record remains intact after Sunday’s draw.
Looking ahead, both teams face quick turnarounds. Leeds travel to Newcastle on Wednesday, January 7, before starting their FA Cup campaign against Derby the following Sunday. Manchester United, meanwhile, visit Burnley midweek and then host Brighton in the FA Cup third round. With injuries and absences mounting, Amorim may have no choice but to turn to his promising youngsters once more.
All told, Sunday’s clash at Elland Road was a microcosm of both clubs’ seasons so far—Leeds, scrapping for every point in their fight for survival, and Manchester United, searching for consistency and inspiration amid adversity. The rivalry endures, and with it, the promise of more drama the next time these old foes meet.
