While Manchester United's 1-1 draw against Leeds won't do much to improve their position in the table or rectify the club's worst start to a league season in 40 years, the side's performance, especially in the first half, finally showed glimpses of some improvement from United.

After his explosive outburst following Manchester United's 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid last week, Lisandro Martínez was included in the starting XI after receiving a fine for his public criticisms of the club.

Facing an expected hostile atmosphere at Elland Road, United weathered the early storm, and their resilience was rewarded in the 35th minute when Bryan Mbeumo finished a low cross from Youri Tielemans to put the away side ahead going into the break.

Unfortunately for Carrick's side, Leeds quickly drew level with Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the 51st minute, and while both sides had chances to win, the balance of play suggests a draw was probably the right result.

Manchester United's squad as a whole have disappointed this season, with very few players being able to hold their heads high as the club try and salvage their season with the club already sitting six points off the top-four.

One of those players is Leny Yoro, whose performances earned a first France national team call-up by Zinedine Zidane, starting in the heart of the French defence during a 4-1 win over Belgium in the Nations League.

The 20-year-old has remained on top form after the resumption of league action, playing the full 90 minutes against Leeds, and Rio Ferdinand is desperate for Yoro to continue to start under Carrick after his performances this season so far.

Speaking on his YouTube channel after the game, he said, “Leny Yoro, especially in the first half [when] defending the back post, was top-drawer. He looks like he’s growing in confidence. I think Yoro just needs a run in the team now.

“I don’t know what position he’ll make his own first, but he’ll go, ‘I have to be in this team’.

“I think if he just continues playing in the way that he is, and just continues to get games… I don’t care who gets back fit now, I think Leny Yoro just needs to stay in the team, prove his worth, prove his value to this team, because I think every week he’s getting stronger now.

“I thought in Madrid, he looked solid. The game before that, for France, he was outstanding at centre-back under [Zinedine] Zidane. He’s come back with a newfound confidence. I think that’s good for Man United.”

Injuries to the backline have meant that Leny Yoro has had to deputise at right-back, while Diogo Dalot fills in at left-back after Luke Shaw was sidelined with a knock against Tottenham Hotspur.

According to stats from FotMob, Yoro was excellent against Leeds, completing 19 accurate passes, eight clearances, five headed clearances, two interceptions, one recovery, and one tackle, as Yoro, in particular, was excellent in dealing with Leeds' physicality in the forward line.

After picking up a controversial red card against Atletico Madrid that could have derailed the 20-year-old's confidence, the Frenchman looked unfazed and was excellent against Leeds on Sunday.

After being poor at times last season, it looks like things have finally clicked for Yoro at Manchester United, and his development has been one of the very few bright spots for Michael Carrick's side, and it's important that the 20-year-old picks up more regular game time this season as he looks to continue growing into the world-class centre-back he was touted to be during his time at Lille.

With PSG rumoured to be interested in the young French centre-back, it's important that the club trusts Yoro to be a regular starter in Carrick's plans, or it risks losing another future star.