Premier League LIVE: Manchester United vs Leeds United

Martinez back for Man Utd

Man Utd 0-0 Leeds

Simon Stone

BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter at Old Trafford

Michael Carrick was coy on Saturday when I asked him whether Lisandro Martinez was ready to start tonight.

But it would have been a brave move to partner 20-year-old Leny Yoro with 19-year-old Ayden Heaven in central defence against a side as robust as Leeds.

Martinez will love the battle. But how long can he last? His last appearance was at West Ham on 10 February.

A ‘proper’ atmosphere

Man Utd v Leeds Utd (20:00 BST)

Simon Stone

BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter at Old Trafford

This rivalry goes back decades – probably long before the football teams existed given the shared histories of the respective houses of York and Lancaster – but fans of Manchester United and Leeds United took it upon themselves to view each other as the flag bearers for Lancashire and Yorkshire, and the dislike of each other is as great as it ever was.

It ensures there will be a lively atmosphere at Old Trafford tonight.

Remarkably, Leeds have not won here in the league in 45 years, going back to Dave Sexton’s time as Manchester United manager.

They did it in the FA Cup as a League One side, but not in the league.

Strangely, Michael Carrick was on the bench for that one – and never faced Leeds in the league at home because his time at Manchester United coincided with the Elland Road outfit’s financial turmoil outside the top-flight.

But he knows what to expect.

“The rivalry between these clubs is well known,” he explains in his programme notes.

“Even though I only played in this fixture once (an EFL Cup tie at Elland Road), I know it guarantees a proper atmosphere.”

'Parking the bus isn't enough at Old Trafford'

Man Utd v Leeds Utd (20:00 BST)

Leeds United

Leeds manager Daniel Farke, speaking to Sky Sports: "Every win is good for confidence and mood. We picked up some injuries in the FA Cup but I trust the boys on the pitch today to be competitive."

On their problems in front of goal: "Over a long season you have ups and downs. For a promoted side we have scored lots, created lots of chances.

"Yes, we could have been more effective in the box in some games. But we created many chances in the cup game, we want to continue this today. Parking the bus isn't enough at Old Trafford, we need to be on the front foot. Creating chances and scoring is what we want to do."

On the chance to go six points clear of the drop this evening: "If we win the game we can speak about this after. It's important to stay humble. We need a top performance, balance in all aspects, to make the most of this game.

"We have to show quality in both boxes. If we can, we have the chance to secure the points - but I don't want to celebrate before the game."

Fernandes closing on assist record

Man Utd v Leeds Utd (20:00 BST)

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is enjoying an excellent season and already has eight goals and 16 assists to his name in the Premier League.

The latter is already a club record and leaves him just four shy of the competition record of 20 for a single season, held jointly by Thierry Henry (2002-03) and Kevin de Bruyne (2019-20), with seven league games remaining.

Fittingly in a season in which set pieces have been so prominent, nine of Fernandes' assists have come from dead ball situations.

The Portugal midfielder has created a 101 chances in total this term, the third time he's created 100 or more in a season, and the bad news for tonight's opponents is that he has a great record against them.

In six games against Leeds, Fernandes has eight goal involvements, six goals and two assists.

Champions League within touching distance

Man Utd v Leeds Utd (20:00 BST)

Victory tonight would put Manchester United on the brink of Champions League qualification.

The Red Devils were last in Europe's premier club competition in 2023-24, when they exited at the group stage, before failing to qualify for the past two years.

Having finished 15th in the Premier League last season, getting back among Europe's elite next term would be a big achievement for Michael Carrick's side.

So far this decade they have only featured in the Champions League three times, a far cry from the 18 straight seasons in which they played in the competition between 1996-97 and 2013-14.

Man Utd role the ultimate - Carrick

Man Utd v Leeds Utd (20:00 BST)

Simon Stone

BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter at Old Trafford

We still don't know whether Michael Carrick will be confirmed as the permanent head coach of Manchester United.

It was always likely the club would prefer to wait until the end of the season, although with Champions League qualification in sight, it may come slightly sooner if that turns out to be the clincher.

But - after his time at Middlesbrough started well, but ended in the sack after Carrick lost his best players in the aftermath of a failed play-off campaign - the former Manchester United midfielder is enjoying himself.

"As I've said already, for me, it's the ultimate job to be in this role," he said.

"Whatever's gone in the past, it's all experience and you learn from it.

"Just because you have a bit of a setback doesn't necessarily mean you can't achieve and it's the same the other way, just because you've achieved a little bit doesn't necessarily mean you keep achieving.

"It's about pushing and learning and changing and evolving.

"The experience for me at Middlesbrough was huge and really positive in so many ways, to be honest.

"I'll keep trying to take that as well as the experience of being here for so long.

"It all comes together in that pot you draw on to use when you need it."

Leeds lacking a spark

Man Utd v Leeds Utd (20:00 BST)

Matt Jones

BBC Sport journalist

Daniel Farke faces a fine balancing act in the coming weeks, as excitement over a trip to Wembley and the focus on a relegation fight need to be juggled.

The big issue for Leeds in recent weeks has been goalscoring. They haven't netted in any of their past four Premier League games - the longest ongoing run in the competition this season. They have not scored with any of their past 64 shots.

Earlier in the campaign, Dominic Calvert-Lewin's clinical finishing was keeping the team clear of the bottom three. But since the goals have dried up for the England international - he has two in his past 12 Premier League games - Leeds have slowly slipped back towards the trapdoor.

What could eventually prove key is the team's robustness on the road. They have drawn seven of their past eight away games in the Premier League, meaning they have been able to pick up valuable points consistently.

That solidity appears to be founded on a shift to a more direct style of play in recent weeks. Since December, Leeds have comfortably contested more aerial duels than any other team.

Their record at Old Trafford leaves a lot to be desired, though. United are unbeaten in their past 18 home league games against Leeds - they have won 11 and drawn seven - and have only lost one of the past 20 against their Yorkshire rivals in the top-flight, either home or away.

Crucially for Leeds, this fixture is their toughest before the end of the season on paper. They face the four teams occupying the bottom four spots - Wolves, Burnley, West Ham and Tottenham - in their final six matches; the current highest-ranked team they will come up against is Brighton, who started the weekend in 10th.

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