Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has predicted a draw when Leeds United take on Manchester United this weekend. The two arch-rivals will meet at Elland Road for a Premier League fixture on Sunday 12 February.
The Red Devils will enter this game in third place in the standings, having added 43 points in 22 games. Erik ten Hag has reinvigorated the team, which came from 2-0 down against Leeds at Old Trafford in their last league game to pick up a point.
Meanwhile, the Peacocks languish in 16th place and are just two points out of the relegation zone. They recently fired Jesse Marsch and have yet to name a replacement.
Following the 2-2 draw between these teams just four days before Sunday’s match, Lawrenson has envisioned another stalemate. He wrote in his predictions column for betting site Paddy Power:
“Being 2-0 up at Old Trafford and only drawing 2-2 with Manchester United on Wednesday would have hurt Leeds, but if you had told their fans before the game they were getting a point they would have been happy.” .”
The former Liverpool footballer added:
“I was never the biggest fan of Jesse Marsch, but I liked to watch his team, which is a bit crazy to say. If they had beaten Nottingham Forest last week, which they should have, I would probably still be in a job that is just how football goes
“I think this will be another tie. Leeds-Manchester United 1-1.”
Leeds United have yet to beat Manchester United since returning to the Premier League
Manchester United and Leeds United have met five times since the latter returned to the Premier League after a 16-year wait. The Red Devils have won three of those games, two of which ended in draws, including their last-mentioned meeting at Old Trafford.
The two rivals met in the league for the first time in over 15 years in December 2020. On that occasion, the Manchester side emerged victorious 6-2 at Old Trafford. Leeds apparently learned from that crushing defeat, hoping for a 0-0 draw at Elland Road in the reverse fixture.
Last season, the first Premier League meeting between the two occurred on matchday 1 of the campaign. The Red Devils once again thrashed their rivals, winning 5-1 before taking the reverse game in February 2022 by a score of 4-2.
Leeds got a glimpse of the danger Manchester United can cause during their 2-2 draw earlier this week. It remains to be seen if they can pull off another upset on Sunday at Elland Road.