Manchester United Fresh Updates Against Old Rivalry Leeds United

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Manchester United take on Leeds United in the Premier League for the first time since 2004 today.

It’s close to 17 years since United played Leeds at Old Trafford in a league game and the travesty today is that one of the game’s most fiercest rivalries won’t have the accompanying crowd noise it so richly deserves. The atmosphere was always somewhere between intense and febrile when those two teams met, a trait continued in a Youth Cup tie at Old Trafford last season, but today that intensity will have to be generated by the players on the pitch.

While it was undoubtedly funny to see Leeds United toiling away in the second and third tiers, there is no argument that they are a welcome addition back to the Premier League. A game against Leeds is certainly more attractive than a game against Bournemouth. And with Marcelo Bielsa in charge they are easy on the eye as well.

United have only met their trans-Pennine rivals in two cup games since Leeds' relegation from the top flight 16 years ago, but Marcelo Bielsa's side come to Old Trafford this afternoon (5.30pm kick-off) having impressed so far this season. The Elland Road club stormed to promotion from the Championship last season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is sweating on the fitness of Edinson Cavani for the game, while he is likely to make changes from the United side that beat Sheffield United 3-2 on Thursday night. The striker was with the United squad at the team hotel overnight.

Changes in the team

Dean Henderson is likely to drop to the bench while Fred and Scott McTominay could both come into the United midfield. Paul Pogba could also drop out of the side.

This second successive Roses battle for United doesn’t leave much recovery time, having only got the better of Sheffield United late on Thursday night, less than 72 hours ago. But such was the performance at Bramall Lane and the need to be more attacking at Old Trafford that there’s a strong argument to play an unchanged outfield 10, with David de Gea certain to replace Dean Henderson in goal.

The front six of Matic, Pogba, Fernandes, Greenwood, Rashford and Martial was the combination that thrilled at the back end of last season and they looked to be clicking again against the beleaguered Blades.

“Yeah, of course he’s done a great job with Leeds and he’s done a good job with many other teams as well. I think he was in charge of that [Athletic] Bilbao team we played a few years ago. You see that there’s so much going on and to analyse those games takes a bit of concentration and time. You can see he’s a coach with all the details and he’s got his teams running."

"They’re the highest running and sprinting team in the league, probably the fittest team, so that’s one of the battles that we have to stand up to. It’s going to be a physical game.” Solskjaer said.

The bookmakers believe it will be a goal-fest at Old Trafford today.

Both teams to score is 4/11, according to bettingexpert.com.

United are 8/13 favourites to win, Leeds are 7/2 and a draw is 7/2.

A penalty to be awarded is even, Bruno Fernandes to score anytime at 19/20

Patrick Bamford to score for Leeds is 7/5.

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