Leeds United fully deserved their share of the points against Manchester United on Sunday.

The two sides played out a draw at Elland Road after Matheus Cunha swiftly responded to Brenden Aaronson’s opener. The equaliser was particularly irritating for Leeds, as a brief lapse in concentration after scoring allowed the Brazilian too much space to strike back with ease.

Daniel Farke cut a frustrated figure on the touchline, but overall he will be pleased with his team’s display, which extended their unbeaten Premier League run to seven matches.

However, any optimism surrounding Leeds’ form was barely reflected in the media coverage. The Whites were given minimal recognition on the latest edition of Match of the Day, continuing a familiar lack of respect.

Leeds Barely Mentioned After Manchester United Draw

The electric atmosphere at Elland Road has been a huge factor in Leeds’ push to avoid an immediate return to the Championship this season.

There is now a clear gap between Leeds and the relegation zone, with the Whites sitting eight points ahead of West Ham. That alone should have been enough to spark widespread praise and excitement around West Yorkshire.

Instead, Match of the Day predictably focused on Manchester United’s shortcomings, before showering praise on Cunha during their post-match analysis from LS11.

The contest itself was largely balanced, yet Leeds were afforded just 30 words of discussion from Shay Given. Even then, his comments were broad rather than specific to the performance or the draw.

“He was under pressure, Daniel Farke, and they trusted him and stuck by him. It’s seven unbeaten, eight points clear of the drop zone, and he’s doing a great job,” Given said.

Leeds United Could Benefit From Premier League Disregard

While many Leeds supporters would welcome more recognition from the wider footballing world, there may be advantages to flying under the radar.

At present, the Whites are among the Premier League’s most in-form sides and are quietly drifting away from relegation danger.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s resurgence is a clear example of how freedom and reduced pressure can boost performances—an approach that appears to be spreading throughout the Leeds squad.

The lack of external hype could be exactly what Farke needs to keep standards high and focus sharp, without the weight of a full-blown relegation narrative hanging over his players.

With the January transfer window now in full swing, FC Barcelona have once again been drawn into a high-profile transfer rumour involving one of their most promising young players.

According to reports from Spanish outlet Fichajes, Premier League side Sunderland are prepared to launch a sensational €80 million bid for midfielder Fermin Lopez, identifying the 22-year-old as a cornerstone of their long-term vision.

The report claims Sunderland see Lopez as the perfect figure to spearhead their drive towards European qualification, admiring his intensity, intelligent late runs into the penalty area, and relentless work ethic.

Currently enjoying an impressive campaign following their return to the Premier League, the Black Cats are said to be willing to build their project around the Spaniard, offering him a central role and consistent playing time — a stark contrast to the intense competition for places at Camp Nou.

From Barcelona’s standpoint, such a proposal would pose a familiar conundrum. An €80 million windfall could significantly ease the club’s financial pressures and open the door for reinforcements in priority positions amid continued economic challenges.
However, sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick are reportedly convinced Lopez still has plenty of room to grow and view him as a key part of both the present setup and the club’s long-term plans.

Doubts over the story are further fuelled by the midfielder’s recent decisions. Last summer, Lopez reportedly turned down strong interest from Chelsea, underlining his loyalty to Barcelona — the club he has supported since childhood.

With the winter window now open and no indication of a change in stance from either the player or his representatives, a sudden reversal appears unlikely.

Although an €80 million offer would test the resolve of most clubs, Barcelona seem determined to continue developing their young core rather than sanctioning a premature sale.

For now, this latest link to Sunderland appears more speculative than substantial, and Barcelona fans can probably remain confident that Fermin Lopez is fully committed to the Blaugrana cause.

Manchester United begin their 2026 campaign with a difficult trip to Elland Road on Sunday afternoon, where they face old rivals Leeds United.

It has been nearly three years since the two sides last met competitively. On that occasion, United claimed a 2–0 victory in February 2023, with goals from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho sealing the win.

Ruben Amorim’s men will be keen to respond after a frustrating draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night and will be looking to set a positive tone for the year ahead.

Sunday’s clash is the first of five matches for United in January, a busy month that also includes an FA Cup third-round tie at home to Brighton & Hove Albion next weekend.

United appeared on course for victory against Wolves after Joshua Zirkzee found the net, but Ladislav Krejci’s header just before half-time ensured the points were shared.

That result followed a strong performance at Old Trafford, where United edged Newcastle United 1–0, with Patrick Dorgu scoring his first goal in a United shirt.

Leeds, however, arrive in impressive form. The Whites are unbeaten in their last six matches, with their last defeat coming in a narrow 3–2 loss to Manchester City on 29 November.

A spirited display at the Etihad boosted confidence for Daniel Farke’s newly promoted side, who then shocked Chelsea with a 3–1 win at Elland Road. That victory was followed by draws against Liverpool and Brentford, before an emphatic 4–1 triumph over Crystal Palace.

More recent stalemates against Sunderland and Liverpool have further underlined Leeds’ resilience. The Whites also held United to a draw at Old Trafford in February 2023, despite the Reds mounting a two-goal comeback.

Team News

Manchester United will once again be without captain Bruno Fernandes, who continues to recover from the hamstring injury sustained against Aston Villa. Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount have also been sidelined in recent weeks, and Amorim confirmed in his pre-match press conference that none are expected to return in time.

Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui remain unavailable as they continue their involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Leeds will be forced into at least one change, with captain Ethan Ampadu suspended after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season for a handball against Liverpool on New Year’s Day.

Joe Rodon will also miss out after suffering an ankle injury during the 1–1 draw with Sunderland shortly after Christmas. Daniel James is still working his way back from injury and is unlikely to face his former club.

However, Leeds boss Daniel Farke is hopeful that Sebastiaan Bornauw and Ilia Gruev will be fit to start, after both were forced off with cramp during the goalless draw at Anfield.

Trust West Ham United to turn up in a must-win game against the Premier League’s only winless side and concede after just three minutes.

Soungoutou Magassa hardly covered himself in glory, while Konstantinos Mavropanos failed to close down Hwang Hee-chan quickly enough. The cross came in far too easily, and Arias made no mistake with the finish. A disastrous start, and one that set the tone.

Bright Start, Then Total Collapse

West Ham began the game brightly enough, with Crysencio Summerville looking lively and willing to take responsibility. However, that brief spark quickly faded.

For the rest of the half, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side looked utterly clueless. It was painful to watch West Ham toil against a Wolves team completely devoid of confidence — yet still somehow looking sharper, quicker, and better organised.

Wolves Punish Every Mistake

Despite West Ham seeing plenty of the ball, Wolverhampton Wanderers always looked dangerous on the counter-attack. Their pace repeatedly exposed the Hammers’ defensive frailties.

The second goal summed everything up. Max Kilman miskicked a simple clearance, Magassa then committed a needless foul, and Wolves were handed a penalty to make it 2–0.

It got worse.

Mane drifted past Magassa with alarming ease, skipped beyond a Dinos challenge, and fired home from 18 yards. Wolves had turned West Ham errors into goals with ruthless efficiency.

Second-Half Hope… or False Dawn?

All eyes will be on the second half and the possible introduction of new signing Pablo Felipe Pereira de Jesus. But even that feels like clutching at straws.

It already seems far too late, and the 3–0 scoreline is entirely justified.

Dead and Buried

At this point, West Ham look dead and buried, with the Premier League’s worst team somehow appearing vastly superior in every department.

A humiliating half of football — and one that raises serious questions about where this side is heading.