Manchester United are aiming to snap the impressive unbeaten streak of historic rivals Leeds United in the Premier League this Sunday.
The dismal draw with last-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out has once again soured the mood in Manchester and heaped pressure on Ruben Amorim in the dugout. Fortunately for the Red Devils, their leading top four rivals Chelsea and Liverpool also stumbled to disappointing stalemates midweek.
Another draw—or worse— would prove a mighty source of frustration for those of a Man Utd persuasion, with the absence of key personnel across the pitch making life more difficult for Amorim this weekend.
Conquering Leeds will prove tricky given the resurgence of the Yorkshire outfit, who are now unbeaten across their previous six matches. A streak that began with victory over Chelsea has included two draws with Liverpool and a thumping win over Crystal Palace.
The purple patch has allowed Leeds to move further clear of the relegation zone and they will be brimming with confidence ahead of the visit of Man Utd to Elland Road.
Here is Sports Illustrated’s guide to the game.
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Leeds vs. Man Utd Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
|
Leeds |
Man Utd |
|---|---|
|
Liverpool 0–0 Leeds – 01/01/26 |
Man Utd 1–1 Wolves – 30/12/25 |
|
Sunderland 1–1 Leeds – 28/12/25 |
Man Utd 1–0 Newcastle – 26/12/25 |
|
Leeds 4–1 Crystal Palace – 20/12/25 |
Aston Villa 2–1 Man Utd – 21/12/25 |
|
Brentford 1–1 Leeds – 14/12/25 |
Man Utd 4–4 Bournemouth – 15/12/25 |
|
Leeds 3–3 Liverpool – 06/12/25 |
Wolves 1–4 Man Utd – 8/12/25 |
|
Country |
TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, discovery+, discovery+ App |
|
United States |
USA Network, NBC Sports App, nbcsports.com |
|
Canada |
DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network Canada |
|
Mexico |
Max Mexico, TNT Sports, TNT Go |
Leeds will be without four first-teamers for the battle with their foes as Ethan Ampadu joined three injured absentees by picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Liverpool last time out. He’s suspended for just the one match.
Sean Longstaff is closing in on a return but won’t be available against Man Utd, nor will Dan James against his former employers. Joe Rodon is also missing at the back with an ankle problem and will likely be replaced by Sebastiaan Bornauw once again, although the Belgian did suffer with cramp against Liverpool.
In-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin will return to the starting lineup having been benched at Anfield.
Leeds predicted lineup vs. Man Utd (3-5-2): Perri; Bornauw, Bijol, Struijk; Bogle, Stach, Tanaka, Gruev, Gudmundsson; Calvert-Lewin, Okafor.
Man Utd are battling significant injuries across the squad and skipper Bruno Fernandes is their most notable absentee. The Portuguese will not return against Leeds, joining fellow midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in the treatment room.
In the forward line, Mason Mount is not expected to make his comeback, while Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are still on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations. Right back Noussair Mazraoui is also at the tournament with hosts Morocco.
Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire are sorely missed in the backline and won’t be available against Leeds, meaning Amorim could once again utilise a back four rather than his preferred 3-4-2-1 system.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs. Leeds (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Heaven, Martínez, Shaw; Casemiro, Ugarte; Dorgu, Zirkzee, Cunha; Šeško.
Leeds have been draw specialists in recent weeks, grinding out stalemates in four of their last five outings. While they will harbour ambitions of victory against the misfiring Red Devils, they’re unlikely to turn their nose up at another point.
Daniel Farke’s side will make things very difficult for a Man Utd team who were dreadful last time out, with Fernandes’s absence and a leadership vacuum in the centre of defence exacerbating Amorim’s issues.
United have lacked creativity without their skipper, as well as Mbeumo and Amad down the right, and might struggle to manage more than a draw against the Whites.
Prediction: Leeds 1–1 Man Utd
