It’s almost 17 years since Manchester United and Leeds United last faced off in the Premier League, and as one of English football’s oldest and fiercest rivalries prepares to resume on Sunday, it is the promoted Yorkshire side who appear most secure and clear in their tactical plan.
After their relegation to the Championship in 2004, Leeds suffered a further relegation, financial turmoil, player turnover and a managerial merry-go-round that saw many try but all fail in their attempts to return the three-time champions of England to the top flight.
That was until Marcelo Bielsa came along. The enigmatic and influential Argentinian tactician has implemented his trademark high-pressing, high-intensity attacking philosophy to great effect, not only steering Leeds back to the Premier League but making them a formidable outfit upon their return.
Over at Old Trafford, Manchester United won five league titles and reached three Champions League finals in the time Leeds spent in turmoil outside the top division. And while few would expect Leeds to finish above their upcoming hosts at the end of the season, the absence of an on-field identity as clear as that which Bielsa has installed at Elland Road threatens to prevent the Red Devils from reaching their potential.
Manchester United vs Leeds United a rivalry with so many stories. The Premier League would be a better place with these two facing off against each other next season!#admiral #admiralretro #wornbychampions pic.twitter.com/TcAv11rTaP
— Admiral Sportswear (@admiral1914) June 10, 2020
A strong post-restart run of results saw Manchester United secure third place at the end of last season, with Solskjaer appearing to have pointed the tiller towards progress. And a glance at the table so far this season suggests they are at least on par for a similar return – although currently eighth, if they win their game in hand they go just two points off top.
But their form at Old Trafford is concerning. They have won only one home league game so far this term, and, perhaps more damning, have mustered just a single league goal from open play at the Theatre of Dreams in 2020-21. Solskjaer’s men have been bailed out by a record run of away wins, with the come-from-behind nature of many of those road victories suggesting the manager still very much has his player’s approval and commitment.
The difference between Manchester United home and away fortunes this season highlights the deficiencies in Solskjaer’s tactical plan. Playing away, they have shown an impressive capacity to counter-attack into the spaces their opponents leave unprotected, with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood breaking forward with speed and star man Bruno Fernandes threading through-balls or providing a clinical finishing touch.
But whenever the onus to attack is theirs, whenever an opponent sits deep and limits their own attacking efforts so as not to expose themselves to the counter – which is ordinarily the case at Old Trafford – the Red Devils looks bereft of ideas.
Leeds, by comparison, don’t possess the calibre of individual talent of Manchester United, but their well-drilled patterns of attacking play help them break down stubborn defences. Indeed, the thrilling attacking style with which Leeds earned promotion last season has seen Bielsa shortlisted for the Best FIFA Men’s Coach award.
Manchester United (4/6) Draw (33/10) Leeds United (18/5)
