Leeds Get a Lift Before Manchester United Clash, but Farke Still Has Injury Headaches

It’s the sort of fixture that gets the pulse racing at Elland Road. Leeds United against Manchester United is never just another game, is it? There’s history, bite, and a fair bit of needle baked into it, and this weekend’s meeting arrives with the Whites in the stronger position. That alone tells you how far Daniel Farke’s side have come early in the 2026/27 season.

Leeds have started brightly, losing only once in their opening six league matches and sitting seventh in the table. A win on Sunday would not only pile more pressure on United, it could also shove Leeds into the top four if results elsewhere go their way. For a side looking to make a proper statement, that’s the kind of opportunity you do not squander.

There is, though, a bit of good news for Farke amid the injury worries. Daniel James, who missed the defeat to Arsenal after returning from Wales duty with a lower back problem, is back in training and being monitored. Farke said the winger is improving, though the medical team will want to see how he reacts to the workload before giving him the all-clear. In plain English: better, but not guaranteed.

Rodon out, Joseph still a long-term absence

Joe Rodon is definitely unavailable for the game, which is a blow given the importance of having a reliable centre-half for a match of this size. The Welsh defender has been doing individual work on the grass as he continues his recovery from a thigh issue, and the signs are encouraging, but Sunday comes too soon for him.

Mateo Joseph is still a much longer story. The Spanish forward has not featured since Leeds sealed promotion, with an anterior cruciate ligament injury keeping him sidelined. He is not expected back until early 2027, so there is no quick fix there — Leeds will simply have to crack on without him.

For Farke, the message is simple: get the best available XI out there and trust the atmosphere to do the rest. Manchester United may have the bigger name, but right now they are the ones lagging behind in the table. If Leeds can combine intensity, discipline and a bit of bravery, this is the sort of derby that can become a defining afternoon.

And let’s be honest, these are the games where form books go out of the window and personalities matter more than reputations. Leeds have the momentum, the crowd behind them, and a real chance to land a proper blow. If you’re looking for more coverage and insight into the wider world of betting sites uk, the appetite for big-match drama is hardly surprising — but at Elland Road this one is about football, first and foremost.