Leeds United
Michael Carrick. Credit: Imago
Leeds United will travel to Old Trafford to take on Champions League-chasing Manchester United in a big Premier League game on Monday, April 13.
The 1-1 draw the two sides played out at Elland Road proved to be consequential as Manchester United sacked Ruben Amorim after the game, following his outburst in a post-match press conference.
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Manchester United have lost just one game in the league since then, with interim boss Michael Carrick leading them to third in the Premier League table.
Leeds are under some pressure ahead of the clash as they are on a winless streak of six in the league and face the daunting task of getting something from the trip to Old Trafford.
Manchester United star hit with FA charge ahead of Leeds United clash
Manchester United’s last league game ahead of the international break ended in a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth at Dean Court.
The away side played the last minutes of the game with ten men after Harry Maguire was sent off for a last-man challenge on a Bournemouth attacker.
The Manchester United defender did not agree with the decision and protested heavily before leaving the pitch.
Maguire’s behaviour has attracted the glare of the FA, who have charged the defender with improper conduct and the way he behaved with the match officials.
The centre-back was already set to miss the Leeds game, but could now face an extended ban if found guilty of improper conduct.
He has been a key player for Manchester United, and Carrick will have to find a way to replace him for the big game against Leeds later this month.
However, the FA charge could mean Maguire could be out for an extended period of time in the Premier League run-in.
Can the Whites get anything from Old Trafford?
Leeds’ draw with Brentford just before the break wasn’t a poor result on paper; the Bees are chasing European football and don’t give much away, but three points would have eased a lot of the pressure.
Daniel Farke has admitted that his side may need as many as seven more points to secure Premier League safety this season.
As it stands, results elsewhere kept Leeds four points clear of the drop zone, though they can’t keep relying on favours from other teams.
Tottenham’s appointment of Roberto De Zerbi is expected to give them a lift, which could make the situation even tighter in the weeks ahead.
Leeds United vs Manchester United – Last Five Premier League Meetings
There’s bound to be added pressure after the international break, and picking up a win sooner rather than later would help calm things around Elland Road.
That said, it won’t be straightforward. Manchester United are in strong form, with just one defeat since Carrick took over in January.
By the time Leeds face them at Old Trafford on Monday, April 13, they could be looking nervously over their shoulder in the relegation dogfight.