Long-standing Premier League rivals Leeds United and Manchester United lock horns for the second time in a matter of days, with Elland Road playing host to this fixture on Sunday afternoon.
Although a ‘new manager bounce’ is an ordinary case in football, the Whites defied the expectations to hold a more heavily fancied United to an enthralling 2-2 draw at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Wilfried Gnonto opened the scoring in the first minute before Raphael Varane’s unfortunate own goal doubled Leeds’ advantage three minutes into the second half.
Man Utd replied through their unstoppable striker Marcus Rashford and freshly recovered Jadon Sancho to eke out a point in midweek, extending the Yorkshire outfit’s winless league run to eight games (D4, L4).
While interviewing managerial candidates to fill the vacancy after the sacking of Jesse Marsch, Leeds will rely on caretaker boss Michael Skubala to deliver the goods again.
However, lightning rarely strikes the same place twice, or at least that’s what visiting Man United are inclined to believe after being knocked down from a 13-game winning home streak in all competitions on Wednesday.
Erik ten Hag’s men have blown hot and cold across their last four Premier League outings (W1, D2, L1), allowing fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur to sneak from behind and close the gap to only four points.
Given the Elland Road crowd often gives them a hostile welcome, fears may creep into the Red Devils’ camp as they attempt to consolidate their stuttering top-four pursuit.
Match Preview
Leeds United
Leeds found themselves on the receiving end of a 4-2 scoreline in this corresponding fixture last season but haven’t lost back-to-back home league games against Man Utd since 1976.
If there was time to buck that trend, it’s now, with the Whites carrying an underwhelming three-match winless home league streak into this encounter (D2, L1).
Scoring first would be no guarantee of success, as only Leicester City have dropped more points from winning positions than Leeds (15) this season.
Manchester United
Man United haven’t covered themselves with glory in their Sunday Premier League fixtures this season, suffering six defeats across 11 such match-ups (W4, D1).
Since a humiliating 4-0 loss at Brentford on ten Hag’s first Premier League travel, the Red Devils have scored in ten straight away league outings, averaging 1.5 goals per game.
Delivering action from the start, Man Utd have broken the deadlock in their last four league contests on the road, although they’ve only won twice in that span (D1, L1).
Leeds United vs Manchester United Potential Line-ups
Leeds United (4-2-3-1): Illan Meslier; Luke Ayling, Robin Koch, Maximilian Wober, Junior Firpo; Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie; Crysencio Summerville, Brenden Aaronson, Wilfried Gnonto; Patrick Bamford.
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): David de Gea; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw; Marcel Sabitzer, Fred; Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Wout Weghorst.
How to Watch?
Leeds United vs Manchester United, alongside all other fixtures in England’s top flight, is available to watch online via live Premier League streams.
Leeds United vs Manchester United Prediction
With a mouth-watering Europa League clash against Barcelona waiting on the wings, Man Utd may already have one eye watching toward Thursday’s trip to the Spotify Camp Nou.
Upcoming continental duties aided by Casemiro’s absence could put more wind into Leeds’ sails, giving Skubala’s reinvigorated side more hope to replicate the Wednesday result at least.
We wouldn’t go as far as to back the Whites to take United down, but another share of the spoils wouldn’t catch us by surprise.
Leeds United 2-2 Manchester United
