Daniel Farke believes Leeds United’s FA Cup run is not going to function a distraction from their Premier League relegation struggle however as a substitute present confidence forward of dealing with Manchester United.
Leeds are winless of their final six league video games (D4 L2), failing to attain in every of the final 4, they usually now sit simply three factors above 18th-placed Tottenham within the desk.
However away from the Premier League, Leeds have issues to rejoice, having ended their 39-year wait to achieve the FA Cup semi-finals, having crushed West Ham on penalties final weekend.
They’ll face Chelsea at Wembley later this month for an opportunity to play for the trophy, and Farke is adamant that his gamers’ focus is not going to stray to that with necessary league video games to play.
“We take numerous confidence from it,” Farke stated. “I can assure nobody is distracted proper now in regards to the FA Cup semi-finals. I’ll be sure after this press convention, nobody speaks about it.
“There isn’t a excuse for not being centered on the subsequent three video games.
“It’s undoubtedly a optimistic. You simply must look within the eyes of the individuals for the way a lot it means to them.
“It’s a distinct competitors. It doesn’t assist us by way of factors for the Premier League, however there’s no alternative for wins and this successful feeling.”
Focus switches again to the league! pic.twitter.com/lfevH47Uh4
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 9, 2026
On the different finish of the desk, United are bidding to safe a spot within the Champions League, and at the moment sit third within the desk, above Aston Villa on aim distinction.
Interim head coach Michael Carrick has gained all six of his Premier League video games at Previous Trafford as United boss (one in 2021, 5 in 2026).
As a participant, Carrick hardly ever bought to expertise the golf equipment’ rivalry on the pitch, however he’s anticipating a troublesome take a look at for his aspect, who haven’t been in motion since March 20.
“I believe they’re a extremely good group. I believe Daniel [Farke] has tailored from after they have been within the Championship, and I used to be at Middlesbrough,” Carrick stated.
“They’re a extremely harmful group who’ve advanced in sure issues, tailored in sure issues. However I believe they’ve had a extremely good season, they usually don’t give lots away, particularly not too long ago.
“They’ve defended very well, and will probably be a troublesome sport, a extremely robust sport.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has been concerned in eight targets in simply six Premier League appearances towards Leeds (six targets, two assists), greater than every other United participant has towards the Whites within the competitors.
He has additionally created 101 possibilities within the Premier League this season, the third time he has created 100+ in a marketing campaign within the competitors, after 2022-23 (119) and 2023-24 (114).
Our hero
When @B_Fernandes8 scored a hat-trick towards Leeds at Previous Trafford pic.twitter.com/rTi0aVAsVo
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 12, 2026
Leeds United – Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has made 282 off-ball runs in behind within the Premier League, with this accounting for 54% of his complete off-ball runs (523).
He’s Leeds’ high scorer with 10 league targets this time period however has failed to attain in any of his final 5 appearances, regardless of racking up 2.3 anticipated targets (xG) and having 12 pictures in that run.
MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER UNITED WIN
Man Utd are unbeaten of their final 18 house league video games towards Leeds (W11 D7) since a 1-0 loss in February 1981 beneath Dave Sexton.
United have misplaced simply one in every of their final 20 league video games towards Leeds (W12 D7) and are unbeaten in all 5 night kick-offs towards them within the Premier League (W3 D2 – 7pm or later).
However following their 1-1 draw at Elland Highway in January, Leeds want to keep away from shedding each league conferences with United in a season for the primary time since 1994-95.
Since Christmas Day, United have solely misplaced one in every of their 14 Premier League video games (W8 D5), with solely league-leaders Arsenal incomes extra factors within the competitors on this time (31) than the Purple Devils (29).
Leeds have failed to attain in every of their final 4 Premier League video games, the longest ongoing run on this season’s competitors.
Solely from January to March 1982 have they ever gone longer with out scoring of their league historical past (six in a row) – throughout a season through which they have been relegated from the top-flight.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Manchester United – 61.7%
Draw – 20.2%
Leeds United – 18.1%
