Why Man Utd continue to divide opinion

Michael Carrick called Sunday's draw at Leeds a 'fresh start'. Gary Neville described it as a 'stepping stone'. Most unattached observers came to another conclusion entirely.

That is Manchester United in this moment. A confusing mix of juxtapositions. A club obsessed with taking one step forward and two steps back. Only ever one result away from complete disaster.

Carrick's position remains precariously poised given United have only won two of 10 games in all competitions so far this season. To speak of fresh starts as early as October surely evokes more worry than it arrests. The sentiment is understandable. But why is it necessary?

The sense of calm that Carrick has overseen at Old Trafford since succeeding Ruben Amorim's melodrama in January is close to shattering, despite what he perceived to be improvement at Elland Road. And that is the point, isn't it? That a 1-1 draw at Leeds is actually presented as success.

That another lead blown is an acceptable balance of probability in Carrick's favour because United did not completely buckle after Dominic Calvert-Lewin's equaliser. In truth, United only competed in fits and starts. Another performance made up of individual parts.

The momentum chart below shows two periods of the game where the visitors exerted control, once in the first half, when Bryan Mbeumo scored, and for 15 minutes in the second half. Daniel Farke believed his side were the only team to show any inclination towards winning the game.

Of course the source must be considered, but most would politely agree with the German's reading. The stats corroborate Farke's version of events. Leeds had 61 per cent of the ball, a greater xG value, more touches in the opposition box, ran further, sprinted faster and finished with 73 final-third entries to United's 59.

Carrick's side, playing without a recognised striker to match Leeds' structure, struggled for sustained rhythm despite taking the lead, with Diogo Dalot as their main source of chance creation. Not Bruno Fernandes. Not Bryan Mbeumo or Amad. Dalot. How can that be possible?