The Brazil attacker was unfortunate to see a brilliant volley ruled out for offside in the first half but slotted home a second-half equaliser, just three minutes after the Yorkshire side’s opener.

At full-time, we asked United supporters to vote for their standout performer in a poll on ManUtd.com and in the United App, which Cunha proved to be the clear winner of.

Matheus, after netting his third goal in the last five games, accumulated a majority 55 per cent of the vote, while Senne Lammens (10 per cent) came second, with Ayden Heaven and Joshua Zirkzee – who teed up Cunha’s strike shortly after coming on – tying for third (nine per cent).

Sunday’s lunchtime kick-off was Cunha’s first taste of our historic rivalry with Leeds, after his pre-season transfer from Wolves, and he looked like he enjoyed the magnitude of the contest.

Our no.10 didn’t appear intimidated by the hostile Elland Road reception, on the Reds’ first visit for nearly three years, and was at the heart of everything good that United did.

A clever flick on the edge of the 18-yard area nearly set up a goal for Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu towards the end of the first half and, after getting on the scoresheet himself, he was denied a potential late winner when bending a right-footed shot onto the post.

Cunha also received the Premier League’s official Player of the Match award for his efforts on the afternoon, which included a series of important defensive contributions in the closing stages of the encounter, as the hosts looked to nick the spoils themselves.

‘HE’S A SPECIAL PLAYER’

Former United midfielder Quinton Fortune was full of praise for Matheus while speaking on MUTV’s Matchday Review programme.

Fortune, who played 126 games for the Reds between 1999 and 2006, was impressed by Cunha’s speed and strength, and hopes to see him continue to impart his qualities on the games to come.

“He scored a great goal in the first half, which was unfortunately offside,” Quinton began, sat in the MUTV studio at Old Trafford alongside another former Red, in defender Phil Bardsley.

“If anything was going to happen, it was through him. He’s got the change of pace, you saw the run he made in the second half down the left-hand side, when he showed the strength. 

“He’s got that in his locker; we just want him to do it more. He’s a special player.”