Former Manchester United stars Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt played in numerous games against Leeds United during their careers.
Both Scholes and Butt were part of the Man Utd team that Leeds United were looking to unseat at the turn of the millennium under the management of David O’Leary.
However, the Red Devils have dominated the fixture in the Premier League era, with Leeds’ last victory coming thanks to a Harry Kewell goal, as Rio Ferdinand endured a torrid return to Elland Road.
Daniel Farke is looking to become the first Leeds manager since Simon Grayson to win against Man Utd, with Leeds enjoying a strong run of form ahead of the much-anticipated clash.
However, Scholes and Butt both played down the significance of the game, claiming that Leeds are not one of Man Utd’s main rivals to fan the flames ahead of the game.
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
Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes play down Leeds United v Man Utd rivalry
Speaking to the AwayDays YouTube channel, Butt and Scholes gave their damning verdict on the rivalry with Leeds United.
While their former teammate Rio Ferdinand warned Man Utd to expect a hostile reception from the Elland Road crowd, Butt and Scholes insisted that they had never been too worried about the rivalry with the Whites.
Speaking to host and Leeds fan Ellis Platten, Butt said: “Leeds doesn’t bother me at all, it doesn’t affect me.
“You’ve never been able to affect us, Leeds. Not to kill your dream and all, but they never challenge us.”
Before Scholes added: “All those teams that don’t like us, it’s more them than us really. We’re nice, aren’t we?”
- READ MORE: Leeds United topped the Premier League table in 2002 after Mark Viduka inspired New Year’s win
Neither Scholes nor Butt featured in Leeds United’s last win over Manchester United
Although Butt played in Leeds’ most recent Premier League win over Man Utd in 2002, he had left Old Trafford before the Whites’ last win in the fixture in all competitions.
Paul Scholes was also absent when the two sides met in the FA Cup on 3rd January 2010, with Simon Grayson leading his League One title contenders to a famous upset.
Where does Leeds v Man United rank in the biggest rivalries in the country? 😤
Nicky Butt has fanned the flames before kick-off
The winning goal, scored by Jermaine Beckford, is etched into the minds of most Leeds fans, as he latched onto a long ball from Jonny Howson before poking past goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak to send the band of travelling Leeds fans into a state of delirium.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the same kind of form as Beckford, this is arguably Leeds’ best chance of beating their old rivals in nearly two decades.
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