Leeds United - on this day: Whites topple Manchester United as Rio Ferdinand returns to Elland Road

It's 18 years to the day since Rio Ferdinand made his return to Elland Road...
Former Leeds United defender Rio Ferdiand returns to Elland Road with Manchester United. (Getty)Former Leeds United defender Rio Ferdiand returns to Elland Road with Manchester United. (Getty)
Former Leeds United defender Rio Ferdiand returns to Elland Road with Manchester United. (Getty)

The day...

September 14, 2002

The event...

Leeds United hosted Manchester United as defender Rio Ferdinand returned to Elland Road for the first time.

What happened?

Leeds United hosted bitter rivals Manchester United at Elland Road in Premier League action.

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The day is most remembered for defender Rio Ferdinand's return to West Yorkshire from across the Pennines after he swapped white for red in a deal worth £30m.

Ferdinand was booed with every touch of the ball in LS11 as the home crowd made life uncomfortable for the visitors.

Harry Kewell ensured it was a day to forget for the centre-back as the Australian's header secured Leeds' first win over the Red Devils in five years.

Ian Harte delivered from the left with Kewell timing his run to perfection to nod over the stranded Fabian Barthez to secure all three points in the second half.

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The victory was one of few highlights for manager Terry Venables during his turbulent time at the club.

Leeds: Robinson, Mills, Woodgate, Matteo (Radebe 45), Harte, Barmby (Bakke 45), Bowyer, Dacourt, Kewell, Smith, Viduka (McPhail 72).

Subs Not Used: Martyn, Kelly.

Man Utd: Barthez, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Blanc, Silvestre, Phil Neville, Beckham, Butt (Chadwick 63), Giggs, van Nistelrooy (Forlan 71), Solskjaer.

Subs Not Used: Ricardo, Pugh, Roche.

Attendance: 39,622

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