An estimated 9,000 Leeds fans will travel to Old Trafford on Sunday to watch their side play Manchester United in a competitive game of football for the first time since 2004.
The rivalry between the two clubs, on hiatus since Leeds’ descent into financial chaos and football obscurity, will conjure memories of Leeds' glory days.
Although they now ply their trade in lowly League One of the English Football Association, Leeds are fairly running away at the top of the table, eight points above their nearest rival, Charlton.
Promotion the priority for Leeds, not the FA Cup
Promotion to the Championship seems assured, and for Leeds manager Simon Grayson this is the priority.
“The league is our bread and butter. It’s the league that counts and picking up points to get us closer to where we want to be," said Grayson. “Promotion is the priority here—everyone knows that.”
Such is football today. The most venerable cup competition in the game is reduced by the prospect of television revenue to a mere flash in the pan.
Premier League status is everything now, or is it?
The hoards of Leeds supporters who’ll cross the Pennines on Sunday may find their manager’s view on the subject of priorities to be at odds with their own. The Yorkshire men who invade Old Trafford on Sunday will have just one thought in mind: beat Manchester United.
Leeds has already met with top flight competition in cup action this year, losing narrowly to Liverpool in the Carling Cup. The quality of their game in that match is sure to provide them an additional measure of confidence as they step onto the turf at Old Trafford.
Leeds record a stellar one
They arrive with a record of four wins two draws in last 6 league matches; eight games unbeaten in all competitions. It’s the best record in English professional football this year.
Leeds come into this cup tie with a nearly complete squad, missing only defenders Leigh Bromby, suspended for too many yellows, and Rui Marques, who is on international duty with Angola at the African Nations Cup.
Up front Leeds will be relying on Jermaine Beckford to provide some sting. With 16 goals in 23 games so far this season Beckford’s threat in front of the onion bag is certainly palpable, regardless of the perceived quality of the league he plays in.
Manchester United enters the FA Cup at this 3rd round juncture with two consecutive wins under their belts, the most recent being an emphatic 5-1 thumping of Wigan on Wednesday.
Injury problems easing up for United
The Red Devils’ injury problems persist among defenders, however. Rio Ferdinand is still unavailable, although his back is said to be on the mend. John O’Shea is out for an indefinite period as a result of an injury sustained while on international duty.
Yet the disabled list is fortunately dwindling, and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is decidedly upbeat now that he has some proper defenders available to him again. Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown are both back in the line up as is the boy from Brazil, Rafael. Gary Neville and Jonny Evans may also be available to play against Leeds. An upbeat Sir Alex Ferguson
“Gary could play on Sunday against Leeds in the FA Cup, and Jonny is also training so he might be in contention.” said Sir Alex. “The hat comes out and the names are going in,”
Manchester United Beware
Leeds’ supporters and players alike will surely feel that they have the quality to bring a game to Old Trafford. But they’ll need a little luck to if they hope to have a decent chance against the Red Devils.
Manchester United come into this match with the confidence borne of two consecutive wins, four in their last six matches, and a defensive back four once again populated by actual defenders. They will expect to dispatch Leeds at old Trafford.
Yet anything can happen in a cup tie, and Sunday’s atmosphere is likely to be influenced by the heightened emotions of what once was and, if Leeds’ good form continues, could one day be again.
