Man United vs Leeds: Team news as Lisandro Martinez returns for much-changed Red Devils in heated Premier League clash

Manchester United have not lost to their arch-rivals Leeds since they made their first return to the Premier League in 16 years back in 2020, going unbeaten across seven meetings.

However, United’s record in that time frame has been far from perfect, winning four and drawing three. Their last contest was the 1-1 draw played out at Elland Road in January, with Matheus Cunha’s strike cancelling out Brenden Aaronson’s opener.

Leeds also held United to a draw on their last trip to Old Trafford back in Feburary 2023, though it could’ve been better as they squandered a two-goal lead, having gone in front in the very first minute through Wilfried Gnonto.

They lived to regret that game, with Leeds having not claimed victory against United since stunningly knocking them out of the FA Cup in the third round in 2010, Jermaine Beckford’s goal proving the difference.

And in the league, their wait for a win goes back to 2002, when Harry Kewell – a man whose reputation of course turned toxic due to his later Galatasaray affiliation – got the decisive goal.

Will this be the night they finally get one over on United?

Harry Maguire believes Manchester United are “in a forward curve” and said he wants to be part of a special campaign next season after signing a new deal to stay at Old Trafford beyond this summer.

“It’s amazing,” Maguire said on the club website. “Obviously, it’s my seventh year. To be at this club, to play for this club for one game is really special. So, to be here seven years – it’s going to be eight – I’m really looking forward to it.

“A big, strong end to the season is the focus now, to put us in a strong position going into next year, and then we’ve got to make next year a lot better and a lot more positive and a lot more special. I’m really looking forward to it.

“I feel like we’re in a good place at the moment. I believe we’re in a forward curve with the club, and I want to be part of that.

“I want to leave the club in a good place, when I do leave the club, and that’s the most important thing. It’s not about me, it’s not about individuals. It’s about the team and the club, and wanting to leave the club in a good place.

“I feel like next season could be a special year, if we carry on working hard, if we recruit well in the summer. It’s a big summer ahead, but like I said, focus on this year to make sure we’re in a good position for next year and then make next year a special year.”

With Harry Maguire signing an extension in recent days, Mainoo could soon follow suit and Carrick is optimistic that discussions are heading in the right direction.

“We’d like to think so and it’s getting closer, so we’re positive with that,” he said.

“We’re calm with it, but we’re positive with it and time will tell how it goes. At the moment, we are in a good place.”

He added: “I think the Champions League just brings so many positive things. It’s where we want to be, there’s no getting away from that.

“That has ramifications for so many different things over…players staying, if it is that; if it’s players coming in, it’s financially (important to) all sorts of different things. It’s what we want to be and we need to try and get used to being in there more often.”

Kobbie Mainoo, by the way, has a minor issue. United may miss him. Manuel Ugarte is scarcely a good-luck omen: he has started nine games this season and they have only won one of them.

Daniel Farke insists Japan midfielder Ao Tanaka is happy at Leeds and will get further chances to prove he is a top Premier League player.

“Lately there have been really good performances, so based on that I don’t see anything. I know that he loves to play for this club and is happy with us.

“I’m very happy with his development because Ao is not the youngest anymore and for him it’s his first season in a top flight.

“He has said publicly he’s not yet good enough for this level, but we’ve always believed in Ao. He produced a really good performance (at West Ham) and proved against a Premier League side that he can play at the top level.

“For Ao there is no limit because he’s a top player. He’s done this in recent weeks and for that there will be more chances for him in the coming weeks to shine. If he produces performances like he did at West Ham then we are all happy.”

A half-and-half scarf… for a rivalry as heated as this one? That’s footballing sacrilege.

There are stakes at both ends of the table in tonight’s clash between these arch-rivals – but in a few months’ time, these two will meet again on a much more unique, and less pressurised, occasion.

United’s pre-season plans begun to take shape last week after confirming their first friendly as a clash in Dublin against tonight’s opposition, Leeds.

The Premier League rivals will meet at the 82,000-capacity Croke Park stadium on 12 August and will be one of six matches being planned for United in Europe during the summer.

It will be the first football match staged at the venue – which is the traditional home of Gaelic sports – since the Republic of Ireland faced France there in 2009’s World Cup play-off; the night of Thierry Henry’s infamous handball that proved decisive in denying Ireland a place at the tournament finals.

Leeds are without the injured Anton Stach and Joe Rodon, with James Justin appearing to move into left centre-back.

Jaka Bijol, Noah Okafor and Gabi Gudmundsson were all considered doubts but do start tonight.