The latest chapter of the long-standing rivalry
between Leeds United and Manchester City
gets underway on Sunday in front of sold-out
Elland Road.
For the first time in over 18 years, the Elland
Road crowd will get to watch Leeds vs
Man United in top-flight action as their last
season’s Premier League encounter here took
place behind closed doors.
Coming into this matchday, the Whites lost
3-0 to Everton at Goodison Park, taking their
winless league streak to three matches (D1,
L2).
That must be music to the Red Devils’ ears
as they hope to solidify their position ina
keenly-contested top-four battle following a
2-0 midweek triumph over mid-table Brighton.
But since Leeds are only six points clear
of the relegation territory, Marcelo Bielsa’s
men will fight tooth and nail to fend off
fourth-placed Man United and avoid sliding
into a danger zone.
The scars of a thrashing 5-1 defeat on the
opening matchday of the season are still
fresh in the Whites camp, which is likely
to amplify their ambitions to upset Ralf
Rangnick’s side.
It won’t be easy, though, especially after
United received a double injury boost ahead
of this game.
Leeds United vs Manchester United
Head-to-Head
Barring a 1-0 loss at Elland Road in
September 2002, Man United have gone
unbeaten in 15 of their last 16 Premier League
clashes against Leeds (W10, D5).
Yet, despite their impressive H2H form, the
Red Devils are still seeking their first league
double over the Whites since the 1999/2000
season.
Man United have held Leeds at bay in their
last two Premier League away meetings,
as many clean sheets as they had in their
previous nine matches at Elland Road in the
competition.
Manchester United Preview
Since suffering a crushing 4-1 defeat at
Watford in November, the Red Devils have
gone unbeaten in their last six Premier
League road trips (W4, D2).
Worryingly, though, Rangnick’s men have
dropped six points from winning positions,
turning the leads against Chelsea, Aston Villa
and Burnley into draws.
Since a goalless draw with Leeds in April
2020, United have found the net in all 14 away
league games as they enter this round as the
only Premier League side to have scored in
each travel this season.
However, it is worth noting that they have
netted precisely once in five of their last
seven top-flight fixtures on hostile turf.
Player to Watch
Bruno Fernandes broke his four-game scoring
duck with a late strike to seal Man United’s
2-0 win against Brighton last time out, taking
his tally for the season to eight Premier
League goals.
The Portuguese playmaker enjoys playing
against Leeds, though, as witnessed by his
haul of five goals and one assist from three
league appearances against the Whites.
Leeds United vs Manchester United
Predicted Line-ups
Leeds United (4-1-4-1): llan Meslier; Luke
Ayling, Diego Llorente, Pascal Struijk, Junior
Firpo; Robin Koch; Raphinha, Rodrigo,
Mateusz Klich, Jack Harrison; Daniel James.
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): David de Gea
Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire,
Luke Shaw, Fred, Scott McTominay; Bruno
Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford,
Cristiano Ronaldo.
GOAT 