Manchester United were Leeds’ first Premier League opponents upon their return from the international break. The Whites were set to return to league action after beating West Ham in the FA Cup.
There was a bit of worry among the fanbase ahead of that game on Monday night. Relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and West Ham had picked up points and looked to be dragging Leeds back into the relegation fight.
However, Daniel Farke’s side showed up in a big way at Old Trafford. They had a hot start to the game, and ended up scoring twice in the first 20 minutes with Noah Okafor responsible for both goals. After a dominant first half performance, the team were able to hold on in the second half and take all three points.
Manchester United star reveals what Michael Carrick said ahead of Leeds clash
The buildup to the game saw Manchester United boss Michael Carrick ask the home fans to make some noise and create an atmosphere to help the team beat Leeds on the day. Red Devils midfielder Casemiro has also revealed that in the same game, Carrick spoke about the rivalry between the two teams as a way to motivate his side to get the win.
“I remember we played against Leeds.
“And the [pre-match] meeting was about the story of the game, [Michael Carrick] spoke about the history [of the rivalry].
“I knew about it because people spoke with me, but not everyone knows that Leeds are a big rival.”
Unfortunately, the talk did not pan out as Leeds recorded their first Premier League win at Old Trafford in decades. Noah Okafor; who was the star of the show, was nominated for PFA Player of the Month with the game included in his impressive run of form.
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Leeds United are a huge part of English football
Leeds are one of the biggest clubs in English football; their reputation in the country alone dwarfs a lot of the teams in the top flight. Their return to the Premier League has seen some status return to the competition, with players and fans acknowledging how the club have impacted the division. The 49ers valued the rich history of Leeds United before their acquisition of the club, and their plan is to restore them to the top of English football. With plans for the future, including more investments and a stadium expansion, the future looks bright at Elland Road.
