Jamie Carragher pays huge Leeds United compliment with Real Madrid comparison after Man Utd approach
Leeds United missed a great chance to beat their old rivals but can take promise in another solid performance.
Jamie Carragher believes Manchester United approached their trip to Leeds United like going away to a ‘big team in Europe’.
Leeds came from a goal down to draw 1-1 at Elland Road on Sunday, Dominic Calvert-Lewin cancelling out Bryan Mbeumo’s first-half opener. The Whites had around 40 minutes to find themselves a winner but wastefulness in the final third left them a little disappointed.
Daniel Farke’s side dominated much of the game, enjoying over 60 per cent possession while recording an Expected Goals total of 1.41 to their opponent’s 0.92. Manchester United set out to keep things tight defensively while deploying an extra body in midfield.
While Leeds were left frustrated after missing a great opportunity to beat their rivals, it’s a compliment to their progress that a team playing in the Champions League felt the need to play in such a fashion. And Carragher likened it to an approach they’d take at Real Madrid.
“The best way to explain it - and I've been there - is when you go away to a big team in Europe,” Carragher said on Monday Night Football. “It felt like a European away performance.
“Now, when you pitch the kit Leeds wear, it almost feels like something Manchester United would do away to Real Madrid, not Leeds United. But the situation they find themselves in - I felt this and maybe Michael Carrick felt it but couldn't say publicly - there was a decent chance Manchester United could have lost that game with the form they're in and the morale at the club.
“It was interesting to see him almost smiling and relieved in his post-match press conference that they got out of there with something. But I can understand the flip side where the supporters are looking at the performance and Manchester United on the ball and being frustrated.”
Carrick had high praise for Leeds in his post-match press conference and clearly set up to try and match opposite number Farke, with Amad Diallo playing a similar role to Jayden Bogle. The Ivorian had freedom to attack whenever Manchester United countered but out of possession, tucked into what became a back five.
That the Manchester United boss felt a need to make that defensive adjustment - while also keeping three in midfield with Bruno Fernandes drifting in from a wide position - is testament to the problems Leeds are causing even top teams. And that is an encouraging sign of the continued progress being made.