The Premier League season kicks off 2026 with a massive rivalry clash. Leeds United vs Manchester United is set for Sunday, January 4. It’s at Elland Road. Manchester United, under head coach Ruben Amorim, is chasing a top-four spot. Meanwhile, Leeds, managed by Daniel Farke, wants something historic. They haven’t beaten United in the league since September 2002. That’s a really long wait.
Manchester United’s Growing Injury Crisis
Manchester United are in a pretty tough spot right now. Coach Ruben Amorim is dealing with a serious lack of players. They have eight first-team players unavailable for this crucial game. Just think about that number. Key midfielders Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, and Mason Mount are all out injured. Also, defenders Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt are sidelined. On top of that, Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, and Noussair Mazraoui are away for Africa Cup of Nations duties. That’s a huge hit to their squad depth.
Amorim’s been quite open about the challenges. He said last month that perfecting his preferred 3-4-3 formation needs “a lot of money and time.” They did spend £200 million last summer. That money went on forwards like Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko. But it just doesn’t seem to be enough for Amorim’s system. He even admitted that Leeds’ pace could exploit his depleted side. “Leeds have a lot of pace and sometimes we struggle with pace,” he commented.
And don’t expect any help from the transfer market. Amorim told reporters on Friday there were “No conversations” about January signings. He’s “not optimistic.” He also quickly shut down any talk about selling fringe players. Names like Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo came up. But Amorim insisted it’s “impossible for someone to leave.”
He passed those questions to director of football Jason Wilcox. They just need to keep their numbers up. Manchester United currently sits 6th in the table. They’ve also dropped 12 points from winning positions this season, which is more than they did all last season, according to BBC Sport.
Leeds’ Unbeaten Run and Home Advantage
On the flip side, Leeds are feeling pretty confident. They got promoted back to the Premier League. And they’re on a fantastic six-game unbeaten streak. That run even includes a goalless draw against defending champions Liverpool on New Year’s Day. That’s a really strong statement. Their form has been excellent, to be honest. Daniel Farke has been smart with his tactics. He’s rotating frontline starters and making clever system changes.
Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in incredible form. He’s scored in his last six starts. He even bagged a brace in their 4-1 win over Crystal Palace recently. Calvert-Lewin is certainly making a strong case for inclusion in the England World Cup squad.
Leeds are currently 16th in the league. They also have an impressive home record. They’ve only failed to score in one of their last 17 Premier League home games. Plus, they’ve scored at least three goals in each of their last three at Elland Road. That’s a serious home advantage.
Leeds isn’t without its own team news challenges, though. Midfielder Ethan Ampadu is suspended for one match. Daniel James, Sean Longstaff, and Joe Rodon are also out with injuries. But Ilia Gruev and Sebastiaan Bornauw might be available.
They both impressed against Liverpool. The confidence is really high at Elland Road. Midfielder Anton Stach spoke about the rivalry, saying it’s “very big.” He wants the team to give “150 per cent maybe.” They want to make teams “not feel comfortable” playing at Elland Road, he told LeedsUnited.com.
The Fierce Yorkshire-Lancashire Derby
This isn’t just another Premier League game. It’s a historic Yorkshire-Lancashire derby. You know, a big rivalry across the Pennines. Elland Road will be absolutely electric for this lunchtime kickoff. Amorim is well aware of the atmosphere. He called it “a big derby, a great environment. A big rivalry.” But he also instructed his team to “ignore the Elland Road noise and focus on their performance.” That’s a lot easier said than done in this fixture.
Historically, this match has been tough for Leeds. They last beat Manchester United in the Premier League in September 2002. That was a 1-0 home win. They did get an FA Cup win in 2010, but the league drought is much longer. Manchester United have actually won their last two away league games at Elland Road. They’ve never won three consecutive visits here. So, Leeds has a chance to break that run. This match will be broadcast live on ESPN platforms. It’s going to be intense, that’s for sure.
What’s at Stake for Both Clubs?
This game is a huge test for both sides early in the new year. Manchester United, despite all their absences, needs to show some real mental toughness. Amorim keeps saying they can “win any game in any situation.” But can they prove it against a confident Leeds? A win could propel them much closer to that coveted top-four spot. For Leeds, it’s about keeping their momentum going.
Beating their biggest rivals in the league for the first time in over two decades would be absolutely massive. It would really solidify their place in the Premier League. The first Premier League match of 2026 for both teams is a truly pivotal one. It could well set the tone for the rest of their season.
Ishaan Singh 
Baishali Karmakar 
Govind Singh