Leeds United and Manchester United renew their heated rivalry at the weekend, as the latter are in desperate need of points heading into a hostile atmosphere at Elland Road.
Leeds United have started the season in fine form, as the Peacocks sit in seventh place in the Premier League after six matches played. The two sides met back in April, when Leeds United were the visiting side and took a two-goal lead at Old Trafford inside the opening 30 minutes through a brace from Noah Okafor.
Now heading into this game at the weekend, the home side will have a wonderful opportunity to record consecutive league wins against the visitors. Should Leeds United beat Manchester United on Sunday, it will be the first time since the 1971/72 league season that Leeds United have recorded back-to-back league wins against their bitter rivals.
Leeds United are well drilled under Daniel Farke and typically sit at the high end of the scale in team pressing, with 76 pressing sequences in the league this season, averaging 12.67 press sequences per 90 - only behind Tottenham Hotspur in this statistic. By comparison, Manchester United rank low with roughly 10 pressing sequences per game, and Tottenham Hotspur also outran the Red Devils by 5km in their 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Daniel Farke's men have been excellent at home in the Premier League. The Peacocks last suffered a league defeat at Elland Road back in March against Sunderland, and since that defeat to the Black Cats, Leeds United have won five of their eight league home games, remaining unbeaten. By comparison, Manchester United are winless away from home in the league this season and have not won a game in their last five matches in all competitions.
Leeds United will sense a great deal of fear with the visitors given their recent defensive problems and injuries. Luke Shaw once again has been plagued with injury issues, which forced the Red Devils to play Ayden Heaven at left back against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Michael Carrick's side are defensively frail and miles behind it in terms of urgency across the pitch, and a visit to a hostile Elland Road is likely to worsen things for the visitors.
Leeds United 3-0 Manchester United.
