The time has come. The day two sets of passionate fans have been waiting for nearly 20 years. Today, Elland Road will bark, hiss and roar against the team Leeds fans love to hate – Manchester United.Although these two teams have met twice in cup competitions around a decade ago, it’s only this season that the two Uniteds get to meet each other with thousands of fans screaming at them. Last year’s restrictions meant that there was nobody in the stands to sing songs about the old rivalry. Thankfully, that changed and prompted the Leeds faithful to flock once again as their Whites take on the Devils.So, what is it that makes Leeds and Man Utd fans treat this fixture in such a different way? The reasons are many, and everyone in these two cities would be happy to talk your ears off with their stories.Leeds 0-1 Manchester United📆 October 18, 2003⚽ 81′ Roy Keane#MUFC | #LEEMUN pic.twitter.com/ixt21Foupc— Roy Keane vids (@roychewinggum) February 20, 2022 There is the historical aspect, one that came before football even existed. Some five hundred years ago, the House of Lancaster and the House of York fought for supremacy in England and spilt a lot of blood vying for the crown. You could say that the cities of Manchester and Leeds, as they are today, are centres of modern-day counties of Lancashire and York. And although they aren’t killing each other on the battlefield, the rivalry is still there – especially when their football teams go head to head.The footballing side of this old rivalry stems from the period after the Second World War. A couple of heated FA Cup ties between the club were enough for many people to recognize the old enemy on the other side. The short distance of just 70 kilometres between the cities and the fact that two glorious players, brothers Jack and Bobby Charlton – played on different sides. Bobby led Manchester United to win the European Cup in 1968, two years after winning the World Cup alongside his brother and Leeds great Jack.Manchester United’s Bobby Charlton takes on Leeds United’s Jack Charlton, 1969.#mufc pic.twitter.com/hbUhZbIfEL— Olympia (@olympia_vintage) March 20, 2018 But those are the stories for us to read – not for the players. Both teams will have more pressing matters today because they are both under pressure to perform.Failure to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League would be deemed disastrous for a squad bolstered by the signings of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane with the aim of challenging for the title this season.However, Leeds are in a battle at the bottom just to make sure they do not undo all the good work of Marcelo Bielsa’s reign by being relegated. Bielsa described staying up as “an obligation” on Friday and is keen to reward a loyal fanbase for their unwavering support in the Argentine.”It’s difficult to imagine a support bigger than the one we’ve already received. The presence of a classic opponent increases the enthusiasm and it will be precious to be able to witness it. Of course, we think more about what we need to give to the public rather than what we need to receive from them.”Manchester United fans chanting: “We all hate Leeds Scum!””We all hate Leeds Scum!” pic.twitter.com/StU3CzPsrf— Casual Subculture (@casualsub_) July 8, 2015 What Leeds fans crave is victory when the whites and reds of Yorkshire and Lancashire clash again on Sunday, but make no mistake – every player today will know that this fixture is not like the others. Manchester United’s Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes says that he’s been listening to the stories of Elland Road ever since he arrived in England.”Already last season, without fans, people were telling me about it. My teammates were saying that this is a tough place to be as a Manchester United player but I like that kind of atmosphere. I like when everything is against you because it makes you give a little bit more and be a little bit better. You also know the fans will be there for you, to make them be proud of you and give something back to them because they will go there to support us, for sure.”Manchester United will be looking to make it back-to-back wins after they’d finally ended their three-game winless run on Tuesday with a 2-0 defeat of Brighton. Their hosts have three straight league matches – against the Red Devils, Liverpool and Tottenham. It’s a hellish list of fixtures, but today’s dwarfs the other two in the fans’ eyes. They will be desperate to get one over on the Red Devils, who ran out 5-1 winners in the reverse match at Old Trafford back in August, but the points were shared in a goalless draw at Elland Road last term.This hasn’t been the season the two clubs’ fans have wanted so far. But a win today could be a pivotal point – the point where the pent-up animosity could be transformed into hope and success. It’s all riding on the 90 minutes.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 26SaturdayWest Ham – Newcastle 1-1 (1-1)/Dawson 32 – Willock 45+2/Brighton – Burnley 0-3 (0-2)/Weghorst 21, Brownhill 40, Lennon 69/Aston Villa – Watford 0-1 (0-0)/Dennis 78/Liverpool – Norwich 3-1 (0-0)/Mane 64, Salah 67, Diaz 81 – Matip 48 og/Arsenal – Brentford 2-1 (0-0)/Smith-Rowe 48, Saka 79 – Norgaard 90+3/Crystal Palace – Chelsea 0-1 (0-0)/Ziyech 89/Southampton – Everton 2-0 (0-0)/Armstrong 52, Long 84/Man.City – Tottenham 2-3 (1-1)/Gundogan 33, Mahrez 90+2 – Kulusevski 4, Kane 59, 90+5/Sunday17.00: (4.30) Leeds (3.60) Man.Utd. (1.85)19.30: (2.30) Wolverhampton (3.20) Leicester (3.25)***odds are subject to change
