Leeds United fans in disagreement over huge Manchester United clash amid questionable decision

Leeds United’s first home game of 2026 couldn’t be any bigger - but what to the club’s fans think? Here is what our YEP Jury have had to say on Sunday’s lunchtime showdown against arch rivals Manchester United at Elland Road including a big disagreement on the predictions front, the cost of a questionable decision in the 0-0 draw at Liverpool and a Roy Keane reminder.

NEIL GREWER

The most eagerly-awaited game of the season pits my beloved Leeds United against my local Premiership team.

Both teams have recently made tactical formation switches, Leeds going to 5-3-2 and the opposition moving from this to a flat back four.

My local team improved with a move to a flat back four but reverted to type last time out and failed to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers.

They are without key players and do not have a settled team with several youngsters being introduced. A good time to play them, I hope.

Unfortunately, Leeds will be without the colossus that is Joe Rodon at the back – massive boots to fill – but Seb Bornauw gave a great account of himself during the terrific draw at Liverpool. The suspended Ethan Ampadu will be another big miss, perhaps even bigger.

But Daniel Farke has shown Leeds have a Plan B and crucially variations of Plan B and this new-found tactical awareness, bravery and ability to address problems could provide opportunities for Leeds which could make it an intriguing watch.

This should be a cracking game in a cracking atmosphere at Elland Road.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Manchester United 1.

‘You can’t go into this fixture not fancying it’

ANDY RHODES

After another draw this week extended the Whites’ unbeaten run, Daniel Farke will be hoping his side are in confident mood against our rivals from across the Pennines.

And they will need to be. You can’t go into this fixture not fancying it.

Ethan Ampadu would’ve perhaps relished the challenge more than anyone but a questionable refereeing decision means he will miss out.

That could be a big blow but Leeds got a result at Anfield with a number of recent starters either on the bench or out of the squad entirely.

Farke has got his Leeds side ticking and they have shown, even when 2-0 down to Liverpool last month and under pressure at Anfield, they refuse to go under.

That resilience will be important in the second half of the season but this game is now at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

After December’s results, Leeds are in a good position but beating our bitter rivals would be the icing on the cake.

Prediction: Leeds United 3 Manchester United 1.

‘The challenge might prove to be a step too far’

DAVID WATKINS

The run goes on! Who’d have thought that this run of seven (so far) of the most challenging games of the season would see the Mighty Whites unbeaten in six and a half of them!

The draw earned at Liverpool was much more of a backs-to-the-wall performance than we’ve seen of late, but that is still very impressive, as Daniel Farke rotated his players for this one, and I’m sure many fans, like me, thought we might struggle when we saw the line-up before kick-off.

But to a man, Leeds were magnificent. Now the question is: ‘Can we do it in the game against the old enemy from over the hills?’

Wouldn’t that be special if we could?

The good news is that it looks like we saved some minutes in the legs of Dom Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor, and Jayden Bogle, which hopefully helps us with the next quick turnaround game.

The bad news is we’ll be trying to do it without our captain fantastic, Ethan Ampadu, who will be suspended.

Without Ethan, the challenge might prove to be a step too far, as he’s been more than fantastic in this incredible unbeaten run.

We might get a sense of just how important he is to us, but they will surely miss Bruno Fernandes, too, so who knows?

Prediction: Leeds 1 Manchester United 2

‘Nobody can forget Alfie Haaland against Roy Keane at Elland Road’

KEITH INGHAM

Leeds United continued their impressive run with a very creditable 0-0 draw with champions Liverpool at Anfield.

A slight offside call denied United an impressive away win. The draw sets up a mouth-watering game with Man United on Sunday.

The rivalry can get very tasty. Nobody can forget Alfie Haaland against Roy Keane at Elland Road.

There were epic battles in the 60s and 70s where Leeds won two semi-finals but lost one and then there was the incredible title race in 1991/92.

Leeds have been in great form recently, whilst Man Utd have had some mixed results and only won two of their recent six games.

They drew 1-1 with bottom club Wolves on Tuesday.

With Joe Rodon sidelined, it may mean Sebastiaan Bornauw keeps his place in defence as Ethan Ampadu is suspended for reaching five yellow cards. Ilia Gruev may keep his place or Ao Tanaka may come into midfield.

The injury to Rodon couldn’t have come at a worst time and if he’s out for a while the recruitment team might need to look at bringing in another centre-back.

I cannot wait for this game. If Leeds can get ‘in their faces’ early on I think they can finally get one over a team we just love to beat!

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Manchester United 1.

‘One of our best opportunities in recent years’

MIKE GILL

A very creditable point was gained on the road against Liverpool with a victory denied by the tightest of margins.

Despite only having less than a third of the possession, the Whites were rarely threatened as the back three of Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk and Sebastiaan Bornauw dealt with everything that the Reds threw at them.

This draw even felt like a win and United can face the old enemy with loads of confidence.

Unfortunately, Ethan Ampadu will not feature owing to the totting up process of yellow cards but this is another challenge which the Whites must overcome.

Manchester United continue to have problems with consistency and drew with bottom club Wolves last time out at Old Trafford.

Despite this, few fans will believe that they will be anything other than a tough challenge on Sunday with their opponent’s dazzling collection of expensive talent.

Although the game has an early kick-off, most Leeds fans will still be in holiday mood and must see this as one of our best opportunities in recent years to get the better of our nearest neighbours but deadly rivals.

A noisy and uncompromising Elland Road should help matters along.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Manchester United 1.