Manchester United vs Leeds United
After 16 long years, these two proud sides will renew its historic and intense rivalry.
Fresh from their respective victories here in the Premier League, the Red Devils and the Whites will clash anew at Old Trafford as both of them have aims to move further up in the English top-flight standings.
The hosts are currently sixth and are level with Everton with 23 points. They are only five points adrift the table leaders in Liverpool, who grabbed a momentous win over Tottenham just yesterday.
Meanwhile, their visitors are plotting for their third Premier League victory this season, and they are coming off of a dominating win over Newcastle United in what was authlessly efficient display.
Since their last meeting in 2004, a lot has changed between these two sides.
Manchester United went on to win five Premier League trophies, four EFL Cups, seven Community Shields, and one Champions League crown, whereas Leeds United had to claw their way back into the Premier League after plying their trade in the EFL Championship.
But now that we’re here to witness these two go at it again, SBOTOP football fans cannot wait to see how it will all unfold this Saturday night.
Talking points
Should we consider Manchester United as dark horse contenders?
Despite being haunted by inconsistencies earlier, the Red Devils now have a growing belief that they can win it all this season.
Since losing to Arsenal in early November, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have cruised to a six-game undefeated run here at the domestic front.
Although they haven’t experienced such luck in European football, at least there’s optimism for a squad that’s often being put under the microscope.
But in order to improve their Premier League 2020 odds for the title, Manchester United have issues to fix.
As shown against Southampton and Sheffield United, the Red Devils would often find themselves trailing due to their slow starts which makes them having to spend more energy than they should have late in those fixtures.
Good thing for them that several heroes like Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford would step right in and bail out the club.
Unsung heroes Fred and Scott McTominay should be given their due as well, as they continue to provide the much-needed toughness on the defencive end considering the flaws of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire.
Paul Pogba, meanwhile, remains to be an enigma for this team.
Few weeks ago, his agent Mino Raiola published comments that made the Frenchman looked like a disgruntled star.
However, Pogba dispelled that notion by expressing his utmost commitment to the Red Devils, given he’s still under contract for at least a year or two.
On his best day, Pogba is an effective playmaker that can produce multiple Premier League 2020 highlights. But otherwise, he is a liability in the middle.
Old Trafford fans are hopeful to get more of the former in order for them to make a run at the championship.
Leeds United aiming for a Wednesday rerun
Last Wednesday was a fun night at Elland Road and Marcelo Bielsa is hopeful that they can do it once more.
But like Manchester United, Leeds United cannot afford to have slow starts as well.
The Whites’ success in the last time out can be attributed to their possession-heavy game which has generated so many chances, but they need to be more opportunistic on the attack.
At the same time, their defence would need to hold up since they are the second-worst defencive team in the league, having conceded 24 goals.
With Robin Koch, Adam Forshaw, and Gaetano Berardi still absent, Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper, and Luke Ayling will have to work extra hard to secure the backline.
History
While most fans would recall that their intense rivalry started in 1906, this one is actually deeply rooted further back in history.
Football aside, it all started during the War of the Roses in the 15th century where the House of Lancaster and the House of York engaged in bloody civil wars over at the Pennines.
The cities of Manchester and Leeds were also business rivals during the Industrial Revolution during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Their first fixture ever was played during January 1906 where Leeds United won 3-0 in Division Two. And then a few months later, Manchester United exacted their revenge with a 3-1 victory of their own.
Their first set of top-flight meetings came during the 1925/26 season where both exchanged victories over one another.
Since the genesis of the Premier League in the 1990’s, the Red Devils have had the upper hand over the Whites.
Their rivalry was curtailed during the 2003/04 season when the Whites were eventually relegated from their top-flight status.
Since then, the Red Devils and the Whites have split their last two meetings in the FA Cup and League Cup in 2010 and 2011.
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