Leeds United are fulfilling their transfer sales pitch amid Champions League admission

Tarik Muharemovic believes disappointment at dropping points against two Champions League teams is a testament to where Leeds United are right now.

The Whites came from a goal down to draw 1-1 against Manchester United on Sunday, Dominic Calvert-Lewin cancelling out Bryan Mbeumo’s first-half opener. The Cameroon forward got in front of James Justin cross to finish a cross from Youri Tielemans, who himself found too much space behind Muharemovic.

Leeds went into the break a goal down and frustrated but needed just six minutes of the second-half to draw level, Calvert-Lewin controlling a Muharemovic flick-on and finishing from close range. There were chances for a winner but in the end, Elland Road was made to settle for a point.

Asked by the YEP what Farke said to the squad at half-time, Muharemovic responded: “He just pushed us. He motivated us because at the end, we all know it was an unnecessary goal to go into half-time 1-0 down. Maybe I could also follow my man better.

“These are small things that we have to be aware of and prepared better for next week. But you can see we started especially in the second half more motivated and hungry for more goals. Obviously we got one. We tried everything.

“You saw how motivated, how attentive we played. We were defensively on top, we tried everything to score a second goal and had some good chances, but at the end of the day not every time you can win or score a second goal. So yeah, take the point and we keep going.”

The feeling of disappointment in not beating Manchester United is testament to the progress Leeds have made over the past year. On the same day as Sunday’s draw 12 months ago, Farke’s side were losing 2-0 at Burnley but they’ve now been very competitive against two teams playing in Europe’s premier competition.

“Obviously, I think it's the second week in a row that we go against a Champions League side and are disappointed to not get all the three points,” Muharemovic added. “Arsenal, we know, are always always hard to play, but to fight until the end to try to get the point is something I think very big, and we can be proud of.

“Obviously then to come home to play such a team as Man Utd. We know how big this game is and how difficult these games are, but we still showed where we are and what we are and what we can do. We just have to keep going and show everyone even more.

“That's what they told me when I arrived here, that we want to battle especially against them, and to bring Leeds where it belongs. We want to show everyone who we are and where we belong.

“In the end, we stay humble. We go step by step, and in the end, I hope we achieve all our goals.”