The last time Leeds beat Manchester United? Sixteen years and one day ago. Not in the Premier League but in the FA Cup, when Jermaine Beckford’s goal at Old Trafford delivered a massive upset. What a lovely finish:
Here’s how we’re looking:
Patrick Dorgu as one of Amorim’s No 10s? Funky if so. Joshua Zirkzee’s reward for a goal against Wolves is a place on a very inexperienced bench. Leeds, on the other hand, welcome Calvert-Lewin back to the starting XI. Noah Okafor starts, too.
The teams
Leeds: Lucas Perri, Bornauw, Bijol, Struijk, Justin, Aaronson, Gruev, Stach, Gudmundsson, Calvert-Lewin, Okafor
Subs: Darlow, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Harrison, Tanaka, Byram, Gnonto, Chambers
Manchester United: Lammens, Yoro, Heaven, Martínez, Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Shaw, Dorgu, Cunha, Sesko
Subs: Bayindir, Zirkzee, Malacia, Fredricson, Jack Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher, Lacey, Mantato, Kukonki.
Preamble
The last time this pedigree fixture took place, in February 2023, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were Manchester United’s goalscorers in a 2-0 victory. Erik ten Hag was enjoying his debut campaign in England while Leeds had just parted ways with Jesse Marsch and were on their way to relegation. It feels long, long ago.
Today, it’s the hosts who have form. Daniel Farke’s side went unbeaten in the league through December, and they’ve put on some serious entertainment at Elland Road: clashes with Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Liverpool resulted in 15 goals, with Leeds picking up seven points along the way. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has rediscovered the form that made him an England international.
Manchester United? Well, there’s always a crisis of sorts lurking close by. Ruben Amorim went under interrogation on Friday, the injury list is long, and they could only muster a point at home against Wolves last time out. And yet victory today would take them to fourth place. It’s been a funny old season. Kick-off’s at 12.30pm GMT.