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Matty Hewitt

Leeds United news amid Berardi's 'serious' Whites claim and Raphinha fear ahead of Man United clash

Here's a round-up of your Leeds United morning headlines on Sunday, 20 February.

Gaetano Berardi makes 'serious' Leeds United claim after second season struggles

Gaetano Berardi believes Leeds United are taken more 'serious' than last year, which has culminated in the second-season struggles.

After finishing ninth in their debut Premier League season, the Whites have struggled this term and sit in the bottom half of the division.

Injuries and defensive problems have culminated in a few nervous glances towards the relegation zone.

More commonly known as 'second-season syndrome', Berardi believes teams in the Premier League are paying United more respect.

"It's not easy playing in the Premier League, it was a great season for Leeds," Berardi told The Square Ball.

"It was a new experience for everyone and the players. The second year, they know Leeds United, they know how they play. They take Leeds more serious than last year.

"The second year for the promoted teams is not easy. You can see they are in a good position, the gap is good. It's a part of the season where you have to fight to keep the position.

You can read more here.

Pundit 'fears the worst' for Leeds amid concern Man United will target Raphinha

Manchester United will make a beeline for Leeds United’s Raphinha in their Premier League clash on Sunday, according to a former Premier League boss.

Marcelo Bielsa will look to halt his side’s three-game winless run in a clash that has implications at both ends of the table.

The Whites are six points away from the bottom three while the Red Devils moved into the top four on Tuesday following a 2-0 win over Brighton.

Raphinha has been a shining light for Leeds this season, scoring eight times in 21 Premier League games.

The winger has been tipped for a move away amid his impressive form having reportedly caught the eye of Liverpool and Bayern Munich .

You can read more here.

Full Leeds United squad revealed vs Manchester United

Leeds United's long-awaited home fixture against arch-rivals Manchester United in front of a sold-out Elland Road is finally upon us.

Almost two years after promotion was sealed back to the top flight, Leeds fans' wait to see their team go head-to-head with Man United in the flesh is over.

The Whites have experienced some middling form of late, while Ralf Rangnick's side have not been so reliable either, recently.

Draws with Burnley and Southampton somewhat papered over a disappointing FA Cup Fourth Round exit to Middlesbrough, while the 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion in midweek appeared markedly less convincing than the 2-0 scoreline would suggest.

You can read more here.

Marcelo Bielsa is ready to deliver on the biggest Leeds United wish of his tenure

The day arrives

After 18 years, four months and three days, the event Leeds United fans have been waiting for is finally upon them.

The chance to welcome Manchester United, the club’s most-hated rival, into a sold-out Elland Road on equal terms as a league fixture has skipped a generation before today.

There are fans in their early 20s with no memory of this fixture in the league, of what it really means, when all the talking across the other 364 days in a year stops for the one day these two tribes lock horns.

The hate and rivalry will simmer, bubbling to the surface from the crack of dawn until the 2pm watershed. The sense of occasion will be in the air as the match nears, as fans from both sides of the Pennines slowly make their way to LS11.

The roar and the anticipation when the players walk out for kick-off is going to be something to remember. This is what getting back to the Premier League after 16 years was all about. This match. This is what the fan base was wishing for when Marcelo Bielsa walked through the door.

You can read more here.

Leeds United loanee Cody Drameh praised after another impressive Cardiff City performance

Cardiff City boss Steve Morrison has praised the 'excellent' Cody Drameh after the Leeds United loanee produced another impressive display in the 1-1 draw against Blackpool.

The 20-year-old made the move to the Bluebirds in the January transfer window until the end of the season and has been an ever-present since his debut last month.

Having made just three first-team appearances for the Whites this season, Drameh decided to join the Championship side in search of regular game time and he has had just that.

Cody Drameh in action for Cardiff City against Blackpool. (Getty Images)

Drameh has played eight matches for the Bluebirds in five weeks and grabbed an assist in the stalemate with Blackpool, crossing for Joel Bagan to head home.

It was an excellent display from Drameh and Morrison believes his energy and consistency have helped to raise the team's standards during their run of earning 13 points out of a possible 18 over the last six matches.

He told Wales Online : "We gave him a bit of stick - he tried coming out in gloves today, but I wasn't having that! I made him take them off straight away.

"He has been excellent. He was excellent in his first game, he was excellent at Barnsley, it was a right scrap but there were a few things when he was running back and making last-ditch tackles."

You can read more here.

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