Manchester United will head to Elland Road on Sunday afternoon as we take on bitter rivals Leeds United. We are entering the final month of the Premier League season and the Red Devils know there is still plenty of work to do as we look to cement second place but also go all the way in the Europa League.
United beat Leeds in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford back in December by 6-2. It will be the first time we will be playing at Elland Road since October 2003, when a Roy Keane winning goal secured a 1-0 win for us.
It has been a mad week in the world of football as United were confirmed as one of the leading clubs to join the European Super League last weekend. The new competition collapsed within a few days due to opposition from fans, the Premier League, the FA, UEFA and the UK government. A number of clubs withdraw from the competition with United being amongst them.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær will now be looking to turn the focus back onto the pitch and we arrive into this fixture off the back of five straight wins across all competitions. United are now on 66 points from 32 games after beating Burnley 3-1 last weekend. We are comfortably inside the top four places within the league, 11 points clear of fifth-placed West Ham.
The Red Devils also have the first leg of Europa League semi-finals coming up on Thursday, followed by our league game against rivals Liverpool next Sunday.
Opposition Preview
Leeds have won many plaudits since their return to the top flight as they have thrilled with their possession-based and attacking style of play. The priority for them this season was ultimately survival, which they have clearly surpassed. They have 46 points from 32 games and have probably performed better than most expected, which has left them 10th in the league, only 3 points behind eighth-placed Everton.
Leeds will be looking to cement their place inside the top half as they come into this fixture in a strong form. They are also unbeaten in the last five league games as they have drawn against Liverpool and Chelsea, whilst taking all three points against Fulham, Sheffield United and Manchester City, This good run of form will see this side brimming with confidence.
Leeds United vs Manchester United Match Details
Teams: Leeds United vs Manchester United
Date: April 25th, 2020 (Sunday)
KO Time: 14:00 BST
Competition: Premier League
Stadium: Elland Road
Referee: Craig Pawson
Managers: Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Marcelo Bielsa
Manchester United Team News
For United, Anthony Martial and Phil Jones still remain unavailable through injury. Eric Bailly is now back in training after recovering from coronavirus. Marcus Rashford has not trained all week due to ongoing foot problems but as yet has not been ruled out of the game and it is possible he will feature at some stage.
Edinson Cavani who came off the bench to score in the 3-1 win against Burnley will be pushing to be in the starting eleven on Sunday. Mason Greenwood and Bruno Fernandes will feature in the attacking positions with Fred and Scott McTominay as the midfield duo.
Leeds United vs Manchester United Pre-Match Press Conference
During the pre-match press conference, Ole was asked about United’s withdrawal from the ill-fated European Super League. He said, “First of all, I’m very happy that the fans have voiced their opinion and that we’ve listened to them. In a strange sort of way, it’s brought the football pyramid or community together. I think that’s important. I’m a supporter myself and there’ll be a day that I come back and watch Man United and I want to watch a Man United team with a fear of failure. That’s what I thought about it. I didn’t like the concept anyways because it has to be on sporting merit. We want to earn the right to play in Europe. We know we have been pioneers, we have been in Europe for many years, with the Busby Babes.”
Ole was asked what sort of game he is expecting on Sunday from Leeds. He said, “Well, inside the stadium there won’t be any fans unfortunately. It’s important we focus on our game. You know fans between our clubs have always had a rivalry and it has to be healthy rivalry. That’s important as well, in a period like this, that we don’t want to incite or brew anything up. We play football. That’s important that we’ve listened to the fans and I’m so, so happy that the fans have been heard, and let’s go onto the game of football now.”
Leeds Team News
For our opponents, they will be without the services of their captain Liam Cooper through suspension. Meanwhile, Rodrigo and Adam Forshaw will miss the fixture through injury. Leeds are hoping that Raphinha will recover from his thigh problem in time to feature. Marcelo Bielsa may decide to name the same side that played against Liverpool on Monday.
Form Guide
Manchester United Premier League form: DWWWWW
Manchester United form (all competitions): LWWWWW
Leeds United Premier League form: LDWWWD
Interesting Facts
- Manchester United won the reverse fixture against Leeds at Old Trafford 6-2 – only twice in the Premier League have they done the double over the Whites (1996-97 and 1999-00). (source: Opta).
- Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 23 Premier League away games (W15 D8). (source: Opta).
- Paul Pogba’s senior club debut came against Leeds at Elland Road, with the Frenchman replacing Ryan Giggs in a 3-0 League Cup win in September 2011. He is set to make his 200th appearance for United. (source: Opta)
- Mason Greenwood has scored 15 Premier League goals for Manchester United, with no player scoring more as a teenager for the Red Devils in the competition. (source: Opta).
- Manchester United are one of two Premier League teams to remain unbeaten in the league against table toppers, Manchester City (W1 D1). The other? Leeds United.
Leeds United vs Manchester United Predicted Lineup
Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, McTominay; Pogba, Fernandes, Greenwood, and Cavani.
Prediction
This game has all the ingredients to be an entertaining game to watch. Both teams will want to finish their league season strongly, which should create an open affair. United’s away record this season has been incredible as we have yet to lose a league game away from home. We cannot underestimate our rivals but we have enough attacking quality that should see us edge past Leeds.
Predicted Score
Leeds United 1-2 Manchester United
