Calvert-Lewin says Leeds lacked attacking quality in draw with Manchester United

Dominic Calvert-Lewin said Leeds United needed time to adjust to Manchester United’s approach and admitted they may have lacked quality in the final third during their 1-1 Premier League draw.

Manchester United took the lead through Bryan Mbeumo, before Calvert-Lewin equalised for Leeds in the seventh round of the Premier League.

“They tried to match us in terms of the way we played and our shape, and I was not surprised by that, given what happened last season,” Calvert-Lewin told Sky Sports.

“It took us a little time to adapt, but it was mainly about us. Perhaps we lacked some quality in the final third.”

Calvert-Lewin also acknowledged the strength of Manchester United’s squad, despite the issues surrounding the club away from the pitch.

“They are still a very good team and have a lot of quality, regardless of everything that is being discussed off the pitch,” he added. “As players, we are completely used to that.”

Explaining his equalising goal, the Leeds striker said he had focused on making the situation difficult for the defender before reacting quickest to the ball.

“I was just trying to cause a bit of chaos in the box and make things difficult for the defender,” he said. “I read the flight of the ball and was the quickest to react.”

Calvert-Lewin felt Leeds could be content with the result, although he believed they had opportunities to perform better at important moments.

“We have to be happy with what we achieved,” he said. “I think we could have performed better in some decisive moments, but things could also have gone against us in those moments.”

The result left Manchester United on nine points in ninth place, while Leeds moved to 10 points and seventh in the table.

Manchester United have now failed to win any of their past six matches in all competitions.

Leeds extended their unbeaten run at home in the Premier League to eight matches, with that sequence comprising four victories and four draws.

Calvert-Lewin has scored 18 Premier League goals since the start of last season, more than any other English player during the same period.