Man United will take on Leeds United in the English Premier League on Sunday and the two local rivals will go head to head after one and a half decades.
At one point, Man United vs Leeds was one of the fiercest rivalries in English football but over the years that aura has faded away. On Sunday, both teams will take the pitch for very different reasons – United trying to move into the top four and Leeds United hoping to move to the top half of the table.
Leeds United are one of the most proactive and positive-styled teams in the Premier League this season which is why Michael Owen thinks Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be setting up his side to counter Bielsa’s tactics.
He wrote for BetVictor: “What a great sight it is to see this match back on the fixture list. Leeds travel to Old Trafford in the Premier League for the first time since February 2004. That day the sides drew 1-1 and I think this will be another tight match.
“Leeds are at their best when teams come at them. They are excellent at smothering sides and can really run the legs off you if given the chance.
“I think United will need to be wary of that. If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done his homework, he may approach with caution as they won’t want to get caught out on the counter-attack.
“If that materialises, we could be in for a cagey start. However, it only takes one goal to light the touch paper in a derby.
“I can’t help thinking back to Leeds match against Liverpool at the start of the season. If they approach this in a similar way, I think we could be in for an entertaining match with the sides ultimately sharing the points.”
It will not come as a surprise if the Man United boss chooses to set up a slightly defensive side on Sunday but we think the Norwegian will urge his players to go in search of all three points.
Man United are at their best when they play attacking football which is something they should look to do on Sunday as well.
Also, they have a game in hand meaning if they can pick up a win vs Leeds United, they theoretically, can be within three points of league-leaders Liverpool(if they win the extra game as well).
