Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt has named the Leeds United player he used to dread facing during his playing career in the Premier League.
Leeds and Man Utd enjoyed some titanic struggles during Butt’s career as the Whites challenged at the top of the Premier League.
Butt’s Man Utd career coincided with Leeds’ last great period of success as David O’Leary’s side enjoyed European adventures and came closer than they have since Howard Wilkinson’s reign to competing for the title.
The Whites had a reputation for their uncompromising style, as former Leeds striker Alan Smith led from the front with his all-action style.
However, Butt singled out another Leeds star, naming Lee Bowyer as someone he did not enjoy playing against during his career.
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Nicky Butt on why Lee Bowyer was such a difficult opponent
Speaking on the Good, the Bad and the Football podcast alongside former Man Utd teammate Paul Scholes, Butt opened up on his relationship with Bowyer.
Butt went on to play with Bowyer at Newcastle United later in his career and, according to Butt, his off-field attitude was completely different to his on-field persona.
The former Man Utd man said, “Bowyer, I used to hate him when he played for Leeds. When they’d play against Man United, Leeds. I used to hate him.
“He was horrible. Same as a Dennis Wise or you know, you hate them, but the nicest lad you’d ever meet off the pitch.
He also picked out former Leeds hero David Batty, adding: “David Batty was another one. David Batty was horrible on the pitch but a great lad.”
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Lee Bowyer’s record vs Man Utd for Leeds United
According to StatMuse, Bowyer locked horns with Leeds’ old enemies from across the Pennines a total of 12 times during his Elland Road career.
Although Leeds were regularly challenging for the top four during this period, particularly between 1999 and 2003, they struggled to make their mark in games against the Red Devils.
Lee Bowyer vs Man Utd for Leeds:
- Played: 12
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 2
- Won: 1
- Drawn: 3
- Lost: 8
Bowyer tasted victory against Man Utd just once in his Leeds career, when Harry Kewell scored the winner in a 1-0 home win in the 2002/03 season. He was also an unused substitute when Leeds beat Man Utd in 1997.
His only goal in the fixture came in a 4-3 defeat at home, which featured a classic Ian Harte free-kick. Bowyer also registered two assists for the Whites against their old enemies.
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