Leeds United and Manchester United share a heated rivalry that has often gone over the line. The Whites’ absence from the Premier League in the last two decades has not diminished the hatred that exists between the two clubs.
The two sides squared off against each other earlier this month when Manchester United came to Elland Road to take on Leeds in the Premier League.
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While the match ended in a 1-1 draw, the result had larger ramifications as it turned out to be the last game for Ruben Amorim as Manchester United manager, who was sacked on Monday after the game.
Leeds fans would have loved to beat the Premier League giants, but the result again showed the home team’s resilience. However, Manchester United legends such as Paul Scholes have often downplayed the rivalry.
Paul Scholes needles Leeds United over Manchester United rivalry
The former Manchester United midfielder was with his ex-teammate Nicky Butt, discussing all the rivalry that exists between the Red Devils and other clubs.
While talking about Leeds, Scholes insisted that the rivalry exists more in Leeds United’s heads than Manchester United’s in a brutally honest take.
He indicated that the Whites are not a huge rival for Manchester United, and it’s more how Leeds feel about the Red Devils than the other way around.
When asked about the rivalry with Leeds, Scholes said on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast: “All those teams who don’t like us, it’s more them than us really.
“We are nice that way.”
It’s another odd take from a Manchester United legend
The rivalry between Leeds and Manchester United is rooted in history, and it’s unusual for an ex-Red Devil to try to downplay it, given the historical context.
It’s a classic Yorkshire-Lancashire beef that has existed for centuries, and the two clubs have been carrying on that tradition.
The last five competitive results between Leeds United and Manchester United
Date Fixture Score Competition
4 Jan 2026 Leeds United vs Manchester United 1–1 Premier League
12 Feb 2023 Leeds United vs Manchester United 0–2 Premier League
8 Feb 2023 Manchester United vs Leeds United 2–2 Premier League
20 Feb 2022 Leeds United vs Manchester United 2–4 Premier League
14 Aug 2021 Manchester United vs Leeds United 5–1 Premier League
Manchester United’s record against Leeds in the last few decades has been good, but that doesn’t mean that a defeat does not hurt – just ask any Red Devils fan about the FA Cup exit in 2009.
Leeds would have loved to beat Manchester United earlier this month, when the Whites looked like the better team on the day.
We would be tuning in to check what Manchester United legends are saying ahead of Leeds’ trip to Old Trafford in April.