Manchester United will host Leeds on Wednesday night as the two sides play twice in the space of a week, but their first rearranged clash will not be shown live on TV
Manchester United and Leeds will square off for the first time this season – but fans won’t be able to watch it on TV.
The two arch rivals will play each other in a rarely seen back-to-back sequence with both games coming in the same week. Erik ten Hag’s side will host the Yorkshire outfit on Wednesday night before they travel to Elland Road on Sunday lunchtme.
Leeds and United are both in need of points, albeit for differing reasons. The Red Devils won both fixtures last term and will be hoping to continue that trend as they look to overhaul neighbours Manchester City in second with an unlikely title charge still being discussed.
The Whites meanwhile head to Manchester without a manager after Jesse Marsch was dismissed following Sunday’s loss at Nottingham Forest. It means a three-man team, which includes former Red Devils coach Chris Armas, will take charge whilst they find a new manager.
Why isn’t the game on TV?
United’s clash with Leeds at Old Trafford was originally supposed to be on September 18 but, along with the meeting between Chelsea and Liverpool, it was postponed due to the police needing resources for the Queen’s funeral, which was the following day.
The game had originally been placed on the Sunday due to the Manchester outfit’s participation in the Europa League on the previous Thursday, and not for live broadcast on Sky Sports.
As the game wasn’t originally put forward as a televised game, and despite there now being no other Premier League fixtures this midweek, games cannot have their status changed.
Man Utd completed the double over Leeds last season
The return fixture at Elland Road on Sunday will be televised however. Coverage begins on Sky Sports Premier League at 1pm with kick-off at 2pm. Subscribers can also watch the game via the Sky Go app on their phones, tablets and laptops.
Casemiro was sent-off on Saturday against Crystal Palace and will begin a three-game ban to further tested Ten Hag’s resources. The Brazilian’s absence has already been felt this season and he will join Christian Eriksen, Anthony Martial and Antony on the unavailable list..
Jadon Sancho, who has returned to the club after being sent away on a training programme, is in contention to start once more, as is right-back Diogo Dalot.
Weston McKennie is set to make his first start for Leeds having arrived late in January. The American came off the bench on Sunday but is poised for more involvement Rodrigo, Adam Forshaw and Stuart Dallas all missing through long-term injuries.
Man United in advanced talks over £200,000-a-week deal for key star
Over the last decade, David de Gea has been one of the most important players for Man United and after impressing Erik ten Hag this season, a new deal looks to be on the way for the Red Devils goalkeeper.
Following the arrival of the Dutch coach, there were doubts over whether Ten Hag would keep De Gea as the 32-year-old is not known for being a goalkeeper that is good at playing with his feet.
That led to the Manchester club being linked with Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, but the Germany international rejected the move.
Months later, the Premier League club are now in advanced talks with De Gea over a new deal.
According to Football Insider, Man United and De Gea are in advanced talks over a new contract with the Spaniard being offered a three-year deal worth £200,000-a-week.
That is a massive reduction on the goalkeeper’s current £375,000-a-week salary but Ten Hag wants to keep the 32-year-old around as the former Ajax boss has been convinced by his performances this season.
Source: mirror.co.uk; caughtoffside.com
