Manchester United 3-2 Leeds United - recap: Whites fall to Red Devils in Premier League 2

A general view of Leigh Sports Village where Manchester United take on Leeds United. Pic: Getty

Mark Jackson's development side travel across the Pennines for a crunch clash against the Red Devils this afternoon.

The Whites will take on their old enemy for the first time since earning promotion to the top tier of England's academy football pyramid.

United's development squad head into the game in poor form having failed to win a match since the EFL Trophy victory over Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park on September 28.

Jackson's side bowed out of the tournament in midweek at Salford City in a 5-3 defeat and will be looking to earn a first win in five league matches against Manchester United - who sit two places and two points above them in sixth place.

Follow all the latest from Leigh Sports Village below...

U23s LIVE - Manchester United v Leeds United

Key Events

Leeds U23s travel to take on Manchester United in PL2 action
Whites searching for first league win in five games
Kick-off at Leigh Sports Village is at 12pm
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RESULT: Manchester United 3-2 Leeds United

Sat, 06 Nov, 2021, 11:36 BST

No Bate or Gelhardt

So... any clues in today’s U23s squad? There’s no Lewis Bate, Cody Drameh or Joe Gelhardt this afternoon.

The trio may be in line for involvement tomorrow at first team level against Leicester City.

It is a young side for Mark Jackson, who face a tough test this afternoon.

Sat, 06 Nov, 2021, 11:32 BST

MANCHESTER UNITED TEAM NEWS

Manchester United XI: Kovar, Jurado, Wellens, Mengi, Bennett, Svidersky, Diallo, Mainoo, McNeill, Wansen-Aarden, Elanga.

Subs: Kambwala, Mee, Garnacho, Ennis.

Sat, 06 Nov, 2021, 11:10 BST

LEEDS UNITED TEAM NEWS

Sat, 06 Nov, 2021, 10:34 BST

Jackson lays down challenge to players

“We’re in a moment where we’re not in a great run of form,” U23s boss Mark Jackson told the YEP ahead of kick-off.

“There’s elements from every game which you look upon and think ‘fantastic’. We’ve got to have the mindset where we come together and come back across the Pennines with three points.

“That’s what I have challenged them to do. It isn’t win at all cost - we know that. There’s a certain way we want to play.

“But we have to go with a mindset that whoever is in the group or squad and in the dressing room or on the bus going across that we need three points. We need a spark and that has to start on Saturday.”

Asked about how big the occasion is when Leeds face Manchester United whatever the level, Jackson added: “It is for me growing up as a Leeds fan. I’m sure the boys will know about the rivalry.

“It’s not only the rivalry either but Manchester United are a world-renowned academy and we’re back amongst them now competing. We need to use the game as a focus and prepare to go across and get three points.”

Sat, 06 Nov, 2021, 10:33 BST

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