Michael Carrick has embraced the history behind Sunday’s Leeds v Man Utd meeting at Elland Road, admitting in his pre-match press conference that “certain games are different” and that this is one of them. Speaking to club media at Carrington on Friday, the Manchester United boss said his squad had trained exceptionally well in the build-up to a fixture he believes everyone has to respect.
“We know this is a fantastic game of football,” Carrick said. “There’s a great rivalry and there’s a big history between the football clubs and between the areas. That’s what makes these type of games special. You have to embrace the history, what it means and you’ve got to embrace the past. Certain games are different, and that’s what makes them special and that’s what gets you attached to them. This is certainly one of them. It will be a fantastic game, I’m sure and a fantastic atmosphere on Sunday, and I’m sure we’ll be ready for it.”
United travel to Elland Road for this Leeds v Man Utd fixture off the back of a turbulent week. The fallout from Lisandro Martinez’s post-match comments following the Champions League defeat to Atletico de Madrid dominated the build-up. Carrick, though, was adamant the matter is closed, and said the episode has actually brought his players together. “Certain situations can galvanise a group, and this has certainly galvanised the group as this week has progressed,” he said. “The boys are, I have to say, in a really good place right now.”
Leeds v Man Utd team news
Martinez, Carrick confirmed, is part of the squad for Sunday. On the rest of his selection picture for Leeds v Man Utd, the United boss was less definitive. Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo will be assessed before a decision is made. Benjamin Sesko remains “a little bit further away”, with the club completing checks on his injury before setting out a timeline for his return.
Carrick full of praise for Farke
Carrick was also generous in his assessment of the opposition ahead of the Leeds v Man Utd clash. “I think Daniel has done a fantastic job,” he said of Leeds counterpart Daniel Farke. “From the start of last season, with the changes, the run they’ve gone on, their consistency and the way they play, I think they’ve turned into a very good Premier League team.”
On Elland Road itself, he added: “It brings an intensity and energy. It’s a fantastic atmosphere, and there will be a little extra again on Sunday against us. You have to be ready for it, and the boys will be.”
Leeds v Man Utd kicks off at 2pm on Sunday at Elland Road. United will look to turn a difficult run of results into a statement performance against their oldest rivals.
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