Leeds manager Daniel Farke has explained why he is ‘annoyed’ ahead of their Premier League clash with Manchester United this weekend.
Manchester United will be eager to put 2025 firmly behind them as Ruben Amorim prepares to take charge of his first fixture of the new year; a testing Sunday afternoon trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United.
The previous year was a frustrating one for United. Key moments slipped away, culminating in defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final and a disappointing 15th-place finish in the 2024/25 Premier League season.
This campaign, though, carries a far more positive feel. At the midway point, Amorim’s side sit sixth in the table, level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea, while their opponents also arrive in impressive form.
Leeds struggled early on, spending the opening weeks battling near the relegation places, but Daniel Farke’s team have since gathered momentum and are now unbeaten in six matches.
That run includes draws with Liverpool on two occasions and Sunderland, as well as home victories over Chelsea and Crystal Palace, setting the stage for a high-energy Roses Derby at Elland Road.
Leeds boss Farke makes furious United claim
United have only been playing once a week this season due to their lack of European football but they will also have an advantage against Leeds this Sunday.
The Reds last played on Tuesday evening while Leeds were in action against Liverpool on Thursday night, meaning Amorim’s side have two days extra rest.
That is something that has not gone down with Leeds boss Farke, who has admitted that he is ‘annoyed’ with the fixture schedule giving his opponents an advantage.
“We know how much it means to our supporters this game,” Farke replied when asked about the rivalry with United. “I’m really a bit annoyed with the fixture list and an evening kick-off today and then the earliest possible on Sunday, especially once you had two away games already with lots of traveling.
“But again, it is what it is, we have to accept this, lots of adversity against us. Many, many key players out, the fixture list more or less in favour of Man United, but we still have Elland Road.
“We know when this place is rocking like no other, and everyone is on it, even under these circumstances, we will have a chance.
“I hope they can recover quickly and we’ll see probably some late decisions for Sunday, when we have the earliest possible kick-off, straight after breakfast more or less, whyever this is after a late evening kick-off today.
“So Man United since two days already on the sofa, whatever. We will find solutions for this fixture and at Elland Road, even if the legs will be a bit tight, we also have a chance, and we’ll go for it again on Sunday.”
United must win vs Leeds
It certainly isn’t ideal for Leeds that the Reds have had extra rest ahead of this game, especially when it is the kind of game decided by intensity and fight.
But United need to turn up and make that count, especially after their disappointing display against Wolves last time out.
United do not look like they will be welcoming any of their injured players back for this game but the expectation will still be to win the clash.
There have been some memorable games against Leeds in recent years and Amorim needs to make sure fans get another positive experience in this derby.
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