Leeds United return to Premier League action on Monday night as they travel across the Pennines to face rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Following a penalty shootout victory over West Ham United in the Emirates FA Cup, Daniel Farke’s side turn their attention back to the Premier League where they will look to get back to winning ways.
Last time out in the league, Leeds were forced to settle for a point against Brentford at Elland Road despite enjoying large spells of possession as they searched for a winner.
Prior to that meeting with the Bees, United recording another goalless draw – this time away from home against Crystal Palace – where they defended resolutely with 10 men to grab a valuable result in the capital.
In the reverse fixture between the two rivals, Brenden Aaronson latched onto Pascal Struijk’s searching long ball to put the Whites ahead but it was shortly cancelled out by Matheus Cunha as the spoils were shared in West Yorkshire.
Monday night’s hosts are coming into the clash off the back of a 2-2 draw away to Bournemouth prior to the international break, which saw defender Harry Maguire dismissed by referee Stuart Attwell, resulting in Eli Junior Kroupi converting from the spot to rescue a point for the Cherries.
Since interim boss Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in the Old Trafford dugout, the opposition have enjoyed an up turn in form though did fall to defeat against Newcastle United late on just over a month ago at St. James’ Park.
Over the decades, the two sides have faced each other a total of 114 times, with the Whites winning 26 of those matche and drawing on 38 occasions in all competitions.
Action from Old Trafford gets underway from 8pm and you can follow it across leedsunited.com, as well as on LUTV.
Into the semi-finals!
Team News:
After the FA Cup victory, boss Farke admitted Anton Stach and Joe Rodon will miss Monday’s match through ankle injuries picked up at the London Stadium. Daniel James also remains sidelined, whilst Jaka Bijol, Noah Okafor and Gabriel Gudmundsson are doubts for the trip.
How to follow:
Monthly audio subscribers around the world can listen to every minute of Monday’s fixture LIVE on LUTV. Bryn Law will be joined by Tony Dorigo on commentary. Pre-match build up begins at 7:30pm with Dom Matteo and Nigel Martyn in the studio! The match has also been selected for television coverage in the UK by TNT Sports.
The view from inside the camp:
Speaking to the media, Pascal Struijk said: “We have to show great team spirit, quality on the ball and very good solid defensive behaviour.
“They have individual quality so it will be a very tough challenge for us but I think it will be a good challenge and not something that we shy away from because all the away games have been tough this season.”
Read the full interview HERE.
Important supporter information:
Discriminatory language or chanting, including tragedy chanting, is not acceptable, and you could be breaking the law. The club condemns this behaviour and has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination abuse of all kinds.
There are the six shuttle buses that Transport for Greater Manchester are providing for fans to get to the stadium, and they will be in place to come back to the train stations as well. The club have been informed there is a possibility of Leeds United supporters being held back after the final whistle for a short period of time if deemed appropriate depending on incidents prior to, or during, the fixture.
Tough measures and sanctions are in place across all English football leagues to tackle dangerous and illegal behaviours within football grounds, and this involves but is not limited to, discriminatory behaviour, tragedy chanting, fans entering the pitch, the use of pyros and throwing objects.
What has Daniel Farke said ahead of the match?
League Position:
Manchester United: 3rd
Leeds United: 15th
Top Scorer:
Manchester United: Bryan Mbuemo (9)
Leeds United: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (11)
In the reverse fixture:
Officials:
Referee: Paul Tierney
Assistant Referees: Richard West & Scott Ledger
Fourth Official: Adam Herczeg
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniel Robathan
