Daniel Farke’s Leeds United side will prepare this week for one of the season’s biggest games as they welcome Manchester United to Elland Road on Sunday.
Leeds lost at Arsenal on Saturday, ending their unbeaten start to the Premier League season. But they still remain seventh in the standings after six games.
However, Manchester United have made their worst league start in 40 years, conceding a late equaliser to Tottenham’s ten men at Old Trafford.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is already under pressure to save his job, and he knows his team aren’t playing well.
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Michael Carrick makes worrying admission ahead of Leeds showdown next weekend
The Manchester United manager spoke to reporters on Monday ahead of his side’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano tonight.
He conceded he expected a better start from his team this season, but insisted he always knew his players would have to get through a sticky period.
Many observers have called Manchester United’s start to the campaign disastrous, but Carrick disagrees and urged his players to find a way to deal with their current woes.
“We expected a lot more”, Carrick told reporters on Monday.
“I knew there was going to be a period where it became stickier. That’s part of it. It’s a journey.
“I understand people thinking it’s a disaster, but that’s not in our mindset. You’ve got to be able to deal with it.”
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Leeds are the favourites for Sunday
The Whites have every reason to believe they can beat Manchester United at Elland Road on Sunday. Their rivals have looked vulnerable in the opening weeks of the season, and Michael Carrick has yet to find the consistency needed to make the Red Devils a convincing side.
Daniel Farke’s team, meanwhile, have shown they can compete with quality opposition. The defeat to Arsenal was frustrating, but Leeds were competitive for long spells and will take confidence from the way they approached the game.
Home advantage could prove decisive. Elland Road will be rocking for one of English football’s fiercest rivalries, and Leeds need to use that energy to put Manchester United under pressure from the first whistle.
Of course, form counts for little if Leeds fail to deliver on the day. But with United struggling for results and confidence, the Whites have a genuine opportunity to claim a statement victory. They may not be overwhelming favourites, but enough suggests this is Leeds’ game to win.
