Leeds United have been battling Sheffield United for the second automatic promotion spot lately.
Rio Ferdinand has admitted to Joe that he doesn’t want former club Leeds United to win automatic promotion ahead of Sheffield United this season.
Leeds look like they might have to win promotion via the playoffs if they’re heading back for the Premier League.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side have lost their last two Championship games, in defeats which have put Chris Wilder’s troops – who are six points ahead with two games to play, and a much better goal difference – on the brink of securing second spot at least.
If the Whites lose at home to Aston Villa tomorrow then it’s all over, and Ferdinand, who spent two years at Elland Road, admits that his friendship with Wilder means he is rooting for them, but stressed that he’d like Leeds to win the playoffs.
He told Joe: “I’d love to see Leeds in the Premier League. Their fan base, the passion they’ve got, they’d be a great addition. It’s where they should be. I had a great time there, so it’d be fantastic for me to see them there.
“I’d like them to go up through the play-offs, because my mate is the manager of Sheffield United so I’d like him to go up, but Leeds to go up through the play-offs.”
Given his history with the club it’s quite a controversial admission by the 40-year-old, who joined Manchester United from the West Yorkshire giants for £30 million in 2002 [The Telegraph].
Leeds fans will be devastated if Bielsa’s side fall short and stay in the Championship.
They have spent more time in the top two places than any other side this season, but the Easter weekend has ruined their automatic promotion chances it seems and time will tell whether they can salvage something from an otherwise excellent season.
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