Leeds United’s first home game of 2026 comes against the club’s arch rivals - but blows have left seven men out and five more doubtful for Sunday’s visit of Manchester United to Elland Road.
Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils will have had two more days than Leeds to prepare for Sunday’s Roses derby having played their Game Week 19 fixture at home to Wolves on Tuesday night.
Daniel Farke’s Whites, meanwhile, had to wait until New Year’s Day teatime for their clash against defending champions Liverpool at Anfield.
Despite the extra two days of rest, though, it’s looking like Amorim’s Red Devils will have more players missing than Leeds although both teams are set to have key men out.
Here, following Farke and Amorim’s pre-match press conferences, we run through the injury and team news from both camps.
1. BACK: Lukas Nmecha
Starting with a big Whites positive, German striker Nmecha returned to the starting line-up in the New Year's Day clash at Liverpool, bagging his first start since suffering a hamstring injury in the 3-1 win at home to Chelsea at the start of last month. Nmecha had returned as a second-half sub in the 1-1 draw at Sunderland and is clearly now back in the mix as a starting option. | Getty Images
2. OUT: Bryan Mbeumo (AFCON)
One of several key men missing for the Red Devils, Mbeumo one of three Manchester United players representing their countries at the Africa Cup of Nations, in his case with the Cameroon. | AFP via Getty Images
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3. OUT: Amad Diallo (AFCON)
A class act on his day, Red Devils star Amad is also away at AFCON with the Ivory Coast. | Getty Images
4. OUT: Noussair Mazraoui
Versatile defender Mazraoui completes the trio of Manchester United players away at the Africa Cup of Nations, the 23-year-old part of the Morocco squad. | Getty Images
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5. OUT: Dan James
Whites winger James remains on the comeback trail from the hamstring tendon injury suffered in the 3-2 defeat at Manchester City. One of four Leeds players that Farke has confirmed as definitely out. | Getty Images
6. DOUBT: Bruno Fernandes
An enormous blow for the Red Devils, unless Fernandes suddenly makes a huge recovery which is not expected. The talisman captain suffered a hamstring injury in the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa four days before Christmas and has consequently missed United’s last two games against Newcastle United and Wolves. Amorim does not think that the midfielder will be back for Sunday’s lunchtime showdown against Leeds at LS11 but will take a late check to be absolutely sure. | Getty Images