United States men's national team star Brenden Aaronson scored a brilliant goal to give Leeds United a 1-0 lead in an epic Premier League clash with Manchester United on Sunday. Aaronson has developed into a key player under Daniel Farke, and produced a nerveless finish to give the Elland Road side a deserved lead. Aaronson scored Leeds' opening goal against United, as he burst between Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro, sprinted into the box, and finished coolly beyond Senne Lammens in the United goal. The midfielder has developed into a key player under Daniel Farke and has made 18 Premier League appearances this season, scoring once and laying on three assists prior to the derby on Sunday. Aaronson is, of course, a seasoned USMNT campaigner with 56 caps to his name, and will hope to continue his fine form ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Aaronson has endured an unconventional route to the top with Leeds, going on loan to Union Berlin in the 2023/24 season, before deciding to return and fight for his place at Elland Road.He spoke to The Athletic last year, explaining his game, and revealed Mohamed Salah is a huge inspiration.He said: “I read about Mohamed Salah being consistently in the gym. He has an unbelievable build and stature and that constant work on the little things adds up and has made him what he is. It has helped me too. For the hips, it’s yoga and massage, because when you’re just using foam-rolling it’s not always easy to get the spot you need. So deep-tissue massage helps me a lot — the top of the glutes and hips.“The Leeds physios have been great. Sometimes the pain still gets me but we have a good laugh in the physio room and we haven’t had many injuries this season, so credit to those guys behind the scenes. They do a great job.”And he has revealed his favourite position, adding: “It’s tough to say because I have played so many — mostly at the 10 — but I see myself as a box-to-box midfielder,” he says. “I defend and I attack. One of the underrated things is when I can pick the ball up in the midfield and drive the team forward. For me, it’s also having the freedom in the midfield to go and get the ball, play, turn and have that freedom in between the lines.“So I’d say, ideally, I’d be an eight and a half. This formation this season has been a dream position because it’s a 4-3-3 in the way the left winger comes into the pocket, I’m in the right pocket, sometimes the eight, who is Joe Rothewell or Illia Gruev, comes into the left pocket. I would compare it to a Liverpool eight, also rotating into the No 10 areas in between the lines and combining with Joel (Piroe) too.“So for me it’s a 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, and either the 10 or the eight.”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingLeeds face Newcastle United on Wednesday in their next Premier League assignment, before taking on Derby County in the third round of the FA Cup next weekend. Aaronson will continue taking inspiration from some of the greats of the top-flight as Leeds bid to stay up. He said: “Going back to when Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were at Man United, do you think they told them to stay off the pitch? They were always doing extra stuff in the Prem back in that era. The clubs never said no. But clubs are saying no a bit now.“I’d never push myself too much because I want to be playing every game and if I’m injured, I can’t.”