There is a strong link between Leeds United and Manchester City in the current City squad, as the two sides prepare to meet in the Premier League.
Kalvin Phillips is the most obvious link between the two clubs, with the former Leeds man likely to miss out on the chance to face his former club for the first time.
Prolific Man City striker Erling Haaland was born in Leeds during his father Alf-Inge Haaland’s time at the club and has admitted he once dreamed of winning the title with Leeds.
City coach Pep Guardiola also professed his admiration for his under-fire opposite number, Daniel Farke, in the build-up to the game.
At one time, the strongest link between the two clubs was former Leeds man James Milner, who won several Premier League titles with City, and he could not hide his Leeds allegiance when facing them for the first time in 2013.
Prediction time for Leeds v Man City
James Milner let his Leeds United allegiance slip when playing for Man City
Milner came through the Leeds academy in the early 2000s and was part of the first-team squad that was relegated from the Premier League in 2004.
As Leeds managed the financial fallout of the Peter Ridsdale era, Milner was sold to Newcastle United before he eventually joined Man City in 2010.
Milner’s chances of facing Leeds were restricted by his former side’s fall from grace. However, he finally got the chance to play against Leeds in 2013, when the two sides were drawn against each other in the FA Cup.
Speaking to the Guardian in the build-up to the game, Milner let his love of Leeds slip, referring to the Whites as “us”, as he stated: “I speak to my mum and dad about the club, and my uncle and all my mates are big Leeds fans as well.”
Before adding: “They’re on the up, if you like. It’s a better situation than it was when they were in League One not so long ago. It’s a massive club, and I believe, along with many others, that they should be back in the Premier League. Hopefully, it’s a time of stability for us.”
16-year-old James Milner’s incredible goal for Leeds United v Chelsea 🎯🚀
On how the Leeds fans perceived him, Milner continued: “All I can say is that I love the club and every time I pull on the shirt, whether it’s been for Leeds, Newcastle, Aston Villa or Man City, I give everything.
“Hopefully that’s good enough for the Leeds fans, and they’ll know when I was there, I gave everything for them.”
49ers tried to bring James Milner back to Leeds United
Since he left in 2004, Leeds and Milner have been like ships in the night, only crossing paths occasionally with his former club as an opponent.
However, that could have all been different, as the 49ers looked to bring Milner back to Elland Road in the summer of 2023.
Milner told The Times that Leeds were interested following their relegation to the Championship; however, by the time the enquiry came, he had already committed to joining Brighton.
“Leeds were interested very late,” The former fan favourite said: “When there were changes in the hierarchy there, when somebody left the club [director of football Victor Orta left last May and Andrea Radrizzani sold up to 49ers Enterprises in June], it was all speed ahead.
“But before that, there was no interest. By that point, my mind was pretty much made up that Brighton was the right move for me.”
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