A 50:50 image with Leeds manager Daniel Farke on the left, looking happy. On the right is Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, with a stern expression on his face.

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Why Manchester United are already worried about Leeds at Elland Road

Assistant Editor AUTHORITY Senior editor responsible for daily news flow, sub-hub management, and maintaining editorial standards across the site network. FOCUS Editorial oversight, newsroom workflow, and verified reporting. THE BRIEF Former Leeds United correspondent Mark has risen through the ranks at Breaking Media Limited to manage the network’s daily output. He works between the reporters and the experts to ensure the data and the news are applied correctly to every story.

Published on:

18 Sep 2026, 7:10 am

Leeds United are relishing every single challenge that comes their way in the Premier League.

Despite a tricky-looking fixture schedule, the Whites are currently unbeaten and third in the Premier League.

Leeds have beaten Nottingham Forest and Newcastle, while picking up respectable draws with Brighton and Brentford.

Daniel Farke is delighted, but knows there is plenty of time left.

Crystal Palace are next at Elland Road on Sunday, with a chance to solidify their spot in the top four before the extended international break.

Despite that, Manchester United fans already have one eye on West Yorkshire, and they're panicking.

Why is Elland Road trip awful for Man United?

Fixture schedules are key in a long season, and those in red are back in the Champions League for this one.

And that's exactly what Leeds could take advantage of.

Man United fans are starting to panic after defeat to Man City, as well as throwing away a two-goal lead to lose at home to Brighton in the Carabao Cup.

Looking ahead to after the international break, it only gets worse for them.

They travel to Atletico Madrid and Como next in the Champions League, both tough fixtures away from home.

To make it even worse, a trip to Leeds is sandwiched between them, who will be out to add salt to any wounds.

The PL is actually dark. Every game is a battle 😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/FukKUFn9vl
— 💎 (@TJayyyy_1) September 17, 2026

As seen in the above message on X, all the Man United fans in the comments are picking out that trip to Leeds.

Why Old Trafford is worried about Leeds

It was only a short while ago that the Whites went into their biggest rival's backyard and left with all three points.

While it was only 2-1 in the end, it could and probably should have been four or five, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ao Tanaka missing huge chances, too.

Leeds are relentless this season, and they've added even more quality, and possibly even more physicality to their side.

Michael Carrick has always struggled against Farke, that's a fact, and a trip to Elland Road at that stage of the season is simply nightmare fuel for him.

Leeds are already licking their lips, even if they have a trip to Arsenal themselves the week before that.

Beat Crystal Palace, and Man United will travel to LS11 behind Leeds in the Premier League table.

That is the first psycological advantage, but they are primed to take on and embarrass their rivals once again here.

Ao Tanaka