Premier League report, result, goals
Substitute Joshua Zirkzee slotted in to earn Manchester United a draw at Leeds United in the Premier League in both sides’ opening match of 2026.
The perfect response from Man United 👏
Just moments after going behind, Matheus Cunha finishes off a great pass from Joshua Zirkzee!@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/mbE3d7JFcI
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 4, 2026
Leeds open the scoring! ⚪
Brenden Aaronson reacts quickest, gets there ahead of Ayden Heaven and calmly finishes.@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/pto1Wc7FIl
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 4, 2026
You can relive live text updates from the game here.
More to follow
Senne Lammens with a brilliant save to deny Noah Okafor 🧤
@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/AEmf9mXms6
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 4, 2026
Leeds team vs Man United
Captain Ethan Ampadu was suspended for Leeds for collecting five yellow cards. In-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin was restored, as was Noah Okafor in place of Lukas Nmecha.
Centre-back Joe Rodon (ankle) and winger Daniel James (hamstring) were injured, but midfielder Sean Longstaff (leg) returned on the bench.
Leeds starting XI: Lucas Perri, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk, James Justin, Brenden Aaronson, Ilia Gruev, Anton Stach, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor
Leeds substitutes: Karl Darlow, Sean Longstaff, Joel Piroe, Lukas Nmecha, Jack Harrison, Ao Tanaka, Sam Byram, Wilfried Gnonto, Sam Chambers
Manchester United starting lineup vs Leeds United
Defender Leny Yoro replaced Zirkzee for Man United. Defender Godwill Kukonki, 17, was on the bench in place of Chido Obi.
Centre-backs Harry Maguire (hamstring) and Matthijs de Ligt (back) were short-term absentees, as were midfielders Mason Mount (knock) and Kobbie Mainoo (shin).
Playmaker Bruno Fernandes had a hamstring injury. Morocco wideman Noussair Mazraoui, Ivory Coast midfielder Amad Diallo and Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo were at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Manchester United starting XI: Senne Lammens, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot, Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha
Man United substitutes: Altay Bayindir, Joshua Zirkzee, Tyrell Malacia, Tyler Fredricson, Jack Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher, Shea Lacey, Bendito Mantato, Godwill Kukonki
Leeds United vs Manchester United stats
- Leeds have won one of their last 20 Premier League games against Manchester United (D7 L12) and are winless in nine since a 1-0 home win in September 2002
- They have only failed to score in one of their last 18 Premier League home games, a 0-0 draw with Newcastle in August
- At Elland Road, dscored at least three goals in each of their previous three games
- Their last longer such run in the top-flight was between October and December 1993 (5)
- Manchester United had won their previous two away league games against Leeds – they’ve never won three consecutive visits to Elland Road
- They are unbeaten in their last 26 Premier League games against promoted sides (W22 D5) since a 4-1 loss at Watford in November 2021
- The previous previous meetings between the teams in their first league game of a calendar year had been a 0-0 draw in 1931, a 1-1 draw in 1958, a 2-1 win for Leeds in 1969 and a 0-0 in 1994
- Each of United’s previous six draws in the Premier League this season had featured the Red Devils opening the scoring
- They have conceded at least once in each of their last 15 Premier League away games, last having a longer run without an away league clean sheet between September 1985 and April 1986 (15)
Premier League fixtures and results this weekend
Matches start at 15:00 GMT / 07:00 ET / 04:00 PT unless stated otherwise.
Saturday, January 3
Aston Villa 3-1 Nottingham Forest
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Burnley
Wolves 3-0 West Ham
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
Sunday, January 4
Leeds 1-1 Man United
Everton vs Brentford
Fulham vs Liverpool
Newcastle vs Crystal Palace
Tottenham vs Sunderland
Manchester City vs Chelsea (17:30)
