Manchester United returned from a 24-day break on Monday night with a defeat to Leeds United under the lights at Old Trafford.
After the horrible performance Manchester United put in against Leeds, another 24-day break doesn’t sound too bad.
United were beaten by Leeds‘ rampant first-half performance, refereeing decisions, and, more decisively, the woeful start from Michael Carrick’s side, which was expected after a long break.
In the defeat, United had multiple players who struggled, but five stand out as being the worst players in the loss.
Who was Man United’s worst performer vs Leeds?
A terrible performance but who let United down most?
Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Manuel Ugarte walks off after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Manuel Ugarte
When United’s starting line-up against Leeds was announced, the biggest concern for fans was seeing Kobbie Mainoo out injured, and subsequently Manuel Ugarte thrust into the starting line-up.
It was his first start under Carrick, and the performance was exactly what we expected, performing to his usual level.
Poor on the ball, offering nothing going forward, combined with an absence off the ball, as he is so easily bypassed by opposition and sticks out for his limitations.
More United News
It isn’t his fault; he just isn’t good enough. Ugarte will probably leave United this summer, and while we wish him well, he has been a disaster signing.
Was Manuel Ugarte that bad against Leeds, or is he just an easy scapegoat for bigger problems?
Getty Images
Noussair Mazraoui
Another change made by Carrick for this game was Noussair Mazraoui, who replaced Diogo Dalot in the starting line-up, and the decision was a bad one.
Dalot was ill last week, which may have played into the call, but Mazraoui did himself no favours, struggling as he looked completely off the pace.
Mazraoui was arguably at fault for the opening Leeds goal as he left Noah Okafor unmarked behind him for a free shot.
This performance has highlighted the importance of Dalot.
Benjamin Sesko
Another disappointing performance came from Benjamin Sesko, with the Slovenian striker reduced to scraps by his teammates.
However, when a handful of chances fell to the number 30, he fluffed his lines with a weak shot straight at Karl Darlow.
Sesko was strong in the air, but the fact of the matter is that as a centre-forward, he needs to be scoring these chances, as it could be the difference between 3rd and 6th.
Far from the worst player on the pitch, but when it mattered, he didn’t step up.
Why have the goals dried up? Who is going to go on a scoring run?
Getty Images
Matheus Cunha
Sesko’s poor performance was coupled with that of fellow attacker Matheus Cunha, who was far from being at his decisive best.
Cunha was booked for a ridiculous dive early on, and felt on the cusp of a red the rest of the game as he mouthed off to the referee on his various subsequent trips to the turf.
He was signed to decide games like this, yet despite the odd flash, he was so poor at making it one goal in eight since getting into the starting line-up.
Maybe he needs to be back on the bench for a spell.
Lisandro Martinez
The final ‘worst’ performer we have highlighted is Lisandro Martinez, with the Argentine going from hero to zero very quickly.
He denied a third goal for Leeds before half-time with a superb tackle, but other than that was given the run around by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
This was before the softest red card of the season, which has caused uproar for good reason.
Martinez was also tasked with on-ball responsibility here with Mainoo out, but his usual line-breaking passes weren’t present. A night to forget.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox