The rivalry between Leeds United and Manchester United is quite an historic one of English football, and not one that we see all that much of these days.
Leeds United are doing their best to return to the Premier League, and bring back to derby between themselves and Manchester United which, if it was played right now, could be a very close game.
The Whites sit in 1st place of the Championship table. Daniel Farke’s side are unbeaten in 17 games in the league and recently beat Sheffield United 3-1 at Bramall Lane in a real statement of their intent this season.
Ruben Amorim’s United meanwhile are on course for their worst ever Premier League finish, currently slumped in 14th place of the Premier League table amid what’s been a disastrous campaign from start to finish.
With many backing Leeds United for promotion this season, the rivalry between them and the Red Devils looks set for a return. And one person who’ll have particular interest in the game is Man United legend and now pundit Gary Neville.
What Man United legend Gary Neville said about playing for Leeds United
Speaking in a 2020 interview, Neville was discussing which clubs he might have played for if not United, with whom he stayed with for the entirety of his 19 year professional career.
Bluntly, he ruled out three clubs in Manchester City, Liverpool, and Leeds United. Neville explained: “I’d made the decision quite early in my 30s that if Sir Alex [Ferguson] had come and told me my time was up, I wouldn’t have played for anyone else. I was fortunate in that sense.
“However, if he’d come to me at say the age of 28, and told me my time was up, of course I would have played for another Premier League club.
“Who would I have played for? You can rule out three: I’d have never have played for City, Liverpool or Leeds. Not in a million years. I don’t feel anything bad towards the players who did that, but me personally, I couldn’t have done it. The rivalry is just too much.”
In his career, Neville won countless titles with Manchester United including eight Premier Leagues and two Champions Leagues.
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One Manchester United player could break the mould and join Leeds United
The rivalry remains as fierce as it always has been, despite Leeds and Man United having had vastly differing fortunes over the last 10, 15 years.
But ahead of a likely promotion to the Premier League, Leeds United have been linked with Rasmus Hojlund who Man United had to pay £72million for in 2023.
Rather unsurprisingly, Hojlund to Leeds United has been played down since the rumour broke. But it might be one to keep a close eye on in the seasons to come, especially if Hojlund becomes more of a back up player at Old Trafford and Leeds steady themselves in the Premier League.
Should the deal happen then Neville may well have some strong words to say about it.
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