It’s the big one, ladies and gentlemen. Leeds United are back in Premier League action against Man United, and Daniel Farke has confirmed his starting line-up to do battle.
Leeds return to Elland Road, perhaps not so fresh from facing Liverpool just two and a half days ago at Anfield. Despite Farke dropping Jayden Bogle and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Leeds secured a 0-0 draw.
Can anyone match Jermaine Beckford’s heroics for Leeds v Man United today? 🙌
The Leeds players have the chance to become modern-day icons at Elland Road
It sees the Whites go into Sunday lunchtime’s clash with Man United, six games unbeaten. Following West Ham’s 3-0 hammering to Wolves, Leeds also have the chance to go 10 clear of Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
It has the potential to be a monumental weekend at Elland Road if Leeds can avoid defeat. But it has been made a lot harder with Ethan Ampadu joining Joe Rodon, and Dan James on the sidelines.
Daniel Farke makes two changes to take on Man United
For some reason, referee Chris Kavanagh decided to hand Ampadu a yellow card for an innocuous-looking handball at Anfield on the edge of the Leeds area. The handball can be argued; the yellow is silly.
It was Ampadu’s fifth of the season, and means he will miss the clash, a game that probably suited him best. Farke has also had a headache at right-back, after James Justin won man of the match at Liverpool.
But Bogle is missing from the entire squad, which means Justin has retained his place. Brenden Aaronson drops in to midfield having started up top with Lukas Nmecha last time out. Calvert-Lewin starts again.
Two changes in total. In come Calvert-Lewin and Okafor, replacing Ampadu and Nmecha. No Bogle, but there is a space on the bench for Sean Longstaff after injury, while Sam Chambers is also named.
Leeds’ starting line-up v Man United – has Farke made the right call?
Two changes…
Daniel Farke record v Man United doesn’t make for good reading
There is a genuine belief Leeds can beat Man United today. Alan Shearer thinks Leeds can do a job on Man United, while Ally McCoist and Tony Cascarino both agree that Farke’s men can pick up three points.
But if Farke’s record against Man United is anything to go by, Leeds fans will be concerned. He has of course, faced Man United twice as Leeds boss, but both games were friendlies. A 2-0 loss, a 0-0 draw.
In terms of competitive matches, Farke has faced Man United three times as Norwich manager. A 3-1 and a 4-0 defeat in the 2019-20 season, while also losing 2-1 at home in the FA Cup quarter-finals that season.
If Farke manages to avoid defeat today, then it will be the first time he has managed to do so against Man United in a competitive setting, at the fourth attempt. But Leeds will have to do so without Ampadu.
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