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Man Utd not expecting biff with Leeds

3 minute read

More than 50,000 fans are expected to turn out for Wednesday's clash between Leeds and Manchester United, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer isn't expecting any trouble.

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER, Interim Manager of Manchester United gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER, Interim Manager of Manchester United gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer doesn't expect there to be any trouble on or off the pitch when the Red Devils take on arch-rivals Leeds United at Optus Stadium on Wednesday night.

The teams have a history of bitter on-field battles marred by fan violence, with the hooliganism reaching a peak during the 1970s.

Leeds' demotion from the English Premier League in 2004 means matches between the sworn enemies have been few and far between over the past 15 years.

Thousands of fans from each side have travelled to Perth for Wednesday's pre-season clash, and Leeds captain Liam Cooper hasn't ruled out a bit of feistiness on the field.

Solskjaer said both teams will enter the match with a strong desire to win, but he doesn't expect tensions to boil over.

"I want my players to go out there and win a game as football, and I think that's the same as (Leeds coach) Marcelo Bielsa," Solsjkaer said.

"We're competitive. If you play a game, you want to win.

"But of course it's going to be using fair methods. We go out there and if it's Leeds or Liverpool or Perth Glory - you just want to win the game of football."

More than 50,000 fans are set to turn out for the match, and Solskjaer doesn't expect any trouble in the stands.

"No I wouldn't think so," he said.

"If you make the effort to come across here and watch your favourite team, I think football is the reason you're here - to support your own team.

"So I don't think that's going to be an issue. Or I hope so anyway."

The hardness of the Optus Stadium turf has come under the spotlight yet again following an ankle injury suffered by West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui in an AFL match there last Friday.

Manchester United played at the venue the next day - recording a 2-0 win over Perth Glory - and Solskjaer said his players didn't have any problems with the pitch.

"They slipped a couple of times. But I don't think there's any concern, no," he said.

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku, who missed the win over Glory with a niggle and has been linked with a move to Inter Milan, is expected to face Leeds.

Defender Luke Shaw (tight hamstring) might be rested.

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