Manchester United’s Six-Game Winless Run Has More Than One Cause

Manchester United were held to a  1- 1 draw by Leeds United, extending their winless run to six games in all competitions.

Manchester United have gone six games without a win, and the six did not go wrong in the same way.

Manchester United’s Winless Run Exposes Their Weaknesses

Manchester United’s winless run highlights growing concerns over their defensive stability and ability to secure victories.

The run covers all competitions and began after the 4-0 Champions League win over Sabah on 10 September. Since then United have drawn three and lost three: a 1-0 home loss to Manchester City, a 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton, 1-1 draws at Fulham and at home to Tottenham, a 2-0 defeat at Atlético Madrid, and a 1-1 draw at Leeds on Sunday. They have scored five goals and conceded nine.

In the Premier League alone the run is five matches, going back to a 2-2 draw at Everton on 6 September. The last league win was 5-2 against Ipswich on 30 August. One win from seven league games is the fewest United have had at that stage since 1986-87.

Failure to Close Out Games Remains a Key Problem

The games show different faults. Against Brighton, United led 2-0 inside ten minutes and lost at home, the first time they had done that since 1976. At Leeds, Bryan Mbeumo scored in the 35th minute and Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised six minutes into the second half. Leeds also had the higher expected goals, 1.44 to 0.91. In Madrid, Atlético scored after 50 seconds against a high defensive line, and Leny Yoro was sent off in the second half before Ademola Lookman made it 2-0.

Manchester United conceded inside the opening minute against Atlético Madrid before suffering a 2–0 defeat.

United have led in three of the six games, against Brighton, Tottenham and Leeds, and won none of them. Each of the last three times Mbeumo has put United ahead, the match has ended in a draw. Closing out games is the problem the results repeat most.

Martínez Controversy Adds to Pressure on Carrick

Lisandro Martínez’s criticism of Manchester United’s recruitment has added to the pressure surrounding the club.

Off the pitch, Lisandro Martínez criticised the club’s hierarchy after the Madrid defeat, singled out director of football Jason Wilcox and said United needed more signings. Two days later he apologised after meeting Carrick and club executives. Carrick, who was kept on as head coach on a two-year contract in May, said after Leeds that he has “no doubts” the team can go on a good run. His position is widely described as far from secure.

Yoro serves a one-match suspension and misses the Champions League trip to Como on Wednesday. Bournemouth visit Old Trafford on Sunday.