Manchester United and Leeds United had a bitter rivalry stretching back many years, and one player who has often split opinion at Elland Road is Gary Neville.
Now a regular on Sky Sports, Gary Neville was commentating on Leeds United’s opening day game against Everton. Under the lights at Elland Road, Leeds United beat Everton 1-0 thanks to a late debut goal from summer signing Lukas Nmecha.
But before the game, Neville shared how he feels about Leeds United fans, saying live on air: “They are one group of fans I wouldn’t want to go anywhere near.”
Now, the former Manchester United and England full-back has given his verdict on the rivalry yet again.
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Gary Neville says Leeds United fans ‘don’t like me’
Since that game against Everton, Leeds United have suffered two poor results. In their first away Premier League match of the season, Leeds United were thumped 5-0 away at Arsenal before a nightmare outing against Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup.
A makeshift Wednesday side full of youngsters managed to beat Leeds United on penalties, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin enduring a nightmare debut for the club. Leeds fans had a lot to say about Calvert-Lewin after that game, and Neville has had something to say about the Leeds fans once again.
Speaking on Stick to Football, Jamie Carragher said: “Gary doesn’t like Leeds fans, does he?” To which Neville replied: “No, they don’t like me.”
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Gary Neville’s prediction for Leeds United in the Premier League
As things stand, Leeds sit in 12th position of the Premier League table and go up against Newcastle United on Saturday.
It’s still early doors and Leeds still have time to sign some new players before the September 1st transfer deadline. But on the whole, many pundits have picked Leeds United to be the one promoted team to beat relegation this season.
Neville has also given his prediction for Leeds United this season, suggesting that it’s still too early to say whether the Whites will stay up. Neville said: “I don’t want Leeds to go down. They’d be great in this league. I don’t want anyone to go down. I hate predicting relegation.
“When I watched Leeds tonight, I don’t know who they will sign over the next couple of weeks. They could sign two or three, that changes my mind. That’s the unfair situation we’re in.”
Leeds’ game against Newcastle United kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday, and a win or at least a point would instil some confidence after a couple of poor results for Daniel Farke’s side.