Manchester United and Leeds United will renew their rivalry in pre-season as both teams prepare for the new campaign.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has simply stated that he expects there to be ‘some rivalry’ with Leeds United ‘on and off the pitch’ when the duo meet in pre-season.
The Whites will come up against their old rivals on July 17 in Australia, with Leeds preparing for another promotion push in the Championship and the Red Devils hoping to get back into the Champions League places.
Leeds United’s struggles over these last 15 years has meant that England’s top-flight has been starved of such a great and historic rivalry.
But, they are set to meet in pre-season next month, and pre-season or not, Man United’s man on the touchline is looking forward to the encounter.
On it always being special coming up against Leeds: “Of course,” Solskjaer told MUFC’s official Facebook page. “Games against Leeds United have always been huge. I have played in quite a few and that’s going to be, both on and off the pitch, some rivalry.”
Despite Man United’s struggles in recent seasons, the pre-season encounter will be a test for Marcelo Bielsa’s side and they’ll want to prepare themselves in the best possible manner for the new Championship campaign.
Given the rivalry between the two clubs, it wouldn’t be a surprise if there’s an extra edge to the game, which once again suits both teams because it sets them up nicely for the new season.
After missing out on promotion last season, Leeds will be one of the favourites to go up next term, with the likes of Fulham, West Brom and Stoke City also hoping to be in that mix.
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