Why Leeds rivalry increases the pressure ahead of Sunday

Leeds won the trophy, doing so with a former Red influential in their midfield, in Gordon Strachan, echoing how Johnny Giles had been a key figure back in Revie’s side.

Another man who helped them get over the line, after arriving in the January, was Eric Cantona but, in an act Leeds fans can never forget, he was sold to United in the following campaign and became the catalyst for our glorious spell of success. Scoring in a 4-0 win that signalled the end of Wilkinson’s time as manager in 1996, he faced up to the torrent of abuse by celebrating in front of the home supporters 

His name will be sung loudly by the travelling Reds at the weekend and he will forever be associated with the rivalry.

More recently, we have enjoyed the upper hand at Elland Road. Although Harry Kewell’s strike was the difference between the sides in September 2002, there have been five wins out of six, including a Roy Keane winner, a couple of cup victories, and successes by two-goal margins in 2022 and 2023.

There was a bore draw in 2021, that I was one of very few people to witness in person, that truly brought home just how much was missing from playing football behind closed doors during the Covid pandemic.

It had nothing of what this fixture is all about. Fire and brimstone, passion and rivalry, intense hostility and a challenge to be met by those in red shirts.

It will be more of the same on Sunday, and then some. Almost three years in waiting for the Leeds public, Ruben’s side will be entering a cauldron of noise and emotion.

What a way to begin 2026!

The opinions in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Manchester United Football Club.