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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Gareth Bicknell

Dimitar Berbatov makes Man Utd vs Leeds prediction as rivals renew hostilities

Manchester United resume hostilities with fierce rivals Leeds this weekend - and Dimitar Berbatov is expecting end-to-end action and plenty of goals.

Sunday's showdown will be the first Premier League clash between the two sides at Old Trafford in 16 years, with Leeds having endured a long spell away from the top flight.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the rivalry between United and Leeds was compelling as they were among the best teams in the land - although the Yorkshire side never managed to add to the third league title they won during the 1991/92 season.

But the enmity between the two sets of supporters goes deeper than that, with the two top teams from either side of the Pennines having enjoyed regular battles at the top of English football in the 1960s and 70s.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Marcelo Bielsa lead their teams into Sunday's showdown having had differing fortunes so far this season, with United up to sixth place after an impressive run of form, while Leeds are down in 13th.

Dimitar Berbatov expects Leeds to stick to their usual gameplan against United (Action Images via Reuters)

But former Red Devils striker Berbatov is predicting a highly competitive clash with plenty of action at either end.

United have been poor defensively this season, and have lost three of their six Premier League games at Old Trafford so far.

But their attacking football has at times been ruthless - as they showed in Thursday's 3-2 win over Sheffield United - and they have developed a habit of roaring back into games after conceding early on.

And Berbatov expects Leeds' expansive style under Bielsa to play into the Red Devils' hands as he predicted a 3-2 win for Solskjaer's side.

"Another really important game for United here," the former Bulgaria striker told Metro.

"I think because Leeds play open football and they are brave going forward, there will be a lot more space for United to counter attack and cause problems with their speed.

"But Leeds don’t care who they play and stick to their game. I can see lots of goals in this one."

A win for United could see them break into the top four, depending on the results of the teams above them, most of whom play before Sunday's Old Trafford clash.

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