DANIEL Farke has dismissed suggestions that Leeds United will be eyeing revenge in Tuesday evening’s home meeting with Middlesbrough.
Boro triumphed 3-0 in Leeds in the first round of the Carabao Cup in mid-August, but Farke insists that mitigating circumstances contributed significantly to that difficult episode, namely the impending sale of crowd favourite Georginio Rutter to Premier League outfit Brighton.
Rutter made his last appearance for the club as a late substitute, with much emotion prevalent in the home dressing room on the night.
Farke, whose side will leapfrog Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United into top spot in the Championship if they beat Boro - winless on their last eight league visits to Elland Road - said: "We cannot speak about revenge or anything like this.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, whose side welcome Middlesbrough on Tuesday night. Picture: George Wood/Getty ImagesLeeds United manager Daniel Farke, whose side welcome Middlesbrough on Tuesday night. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, whose side welcome Middlesbrough on Tuesday night. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images
"The only effect this game had is that we won't win the Carabao Cup this season. The game a few months ago doesn't play any role.
"I wouldn't compare this, it was completely different line-ups and we rotated a lot.
"It was also a strange day as hours before the game, we experienced that Georgi Rutter would leave us.
"He was in the game day squad, but more or less in the dressing room, he was in tears and because all the players liked him, more or less everyone was the same and it was difficult to focus."
While Boro’s win in Leeds compounded a testing first week of the season for Farke, whose side did not win any of their opening three matches in league and cup in 2024-25, United have quickly got back on message since to underline their reputation as firmly among the favourites for automatic promotion.
Farke’s side are striving to record an eighth successive home win this evening, while they have conceded just twice at league level in front of their own fans since the opening day of the season.
Their feats drew praise from Derby manager Paul Warne following his side’s 2-0 reverse on Saturday, while Blades chief Chris Wilder stressed that Leeds were ‘miles ahead’ of his own team after a 2-2 draw at West Brom the following day.
Farke commented: "We've had many comments like this in the last weeks. We take it as a compliment because we have the feeling we are delivering really good performances and arguably we are also in a really good league position.
"(But) We are miles off being labelled a Premier League side, there is no doubt about this.
"Two years ago, we were hopeless on Premier League level. Then in the summer, we lost our best players. Everyone was fearing the worst.
"It was more or less the same in this past summer. I wouldn’t say we’re miles ahead of Burnley or Sheffield United, who were in the Premier League last season."
After Friday’s draw at Turf Moor, fifth-placed Boro - who could move within four points of Leeds with victory - face another acid test regarding their promotion aspirations.
Michael Carrick’s side head south in strong attacking form, that said, with the dazzling displays of Liverpool loanee Ben Doak being a major reason why.
The Merseysiders have a recall clause in January which they could invoke, but Carrick remains relaxed regarding the future of the Scottish international.
Carrick said: "I’m quite calm about it to be honest. No drama.
"Ben’s happy, we’re happy, he’s in a good place. You can see in his body language, demeanour he’s happy, he keeps working hard and he’s enjoying it here and it’s been effective for us.
"As long as that carries on, then we’re all good."
Leeds will be without left-back Junior Firpo (hamstring), who is out for between ‘four to six weeks’.
Farke will make a ‘late call’ regarding fellow full-back Jayden Bogle (also hamstring). Sam Byram has returned to training after a similar issue.