Manchester United goalkeeper admits Leeds United friendly is the biggest game of their summer

Leeds United are the opposition making Manchester United’s players and fans’ mouths water most ahead of the pre-season campaign.

The Whites and the Red Devils will lock horns in Perth, Australia on July 17 ahead of a second match Down Under for the former with Western Sydney Wanderers.

However, undoubtedly, it is the match with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team, the Elland Road outfit’s next confirmed fixture, which whets the appetite most.

Lee Grant, one of Old Trafford’s goalkeepers, has spoken to his club’s official website ahead of pre-season and could not hide his excitement for the match.

“It’s hard to pick one out in particular [that I’m most looking forward to],” he said. “Strangely, I think quite a lot of people, including most Man United fans, will be looking forward to the Leeds clash, and I’m no different in that.”

Lee Grant in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Derby County at Old Trafford on September 25, 2018 (John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)

Marcelo Bielsa’s side are expected to confirmed several other pre-season friendlies in the coming days, but as it stands, the only official fixtures are those in Australia.

The match with the Premier League giants will be the first time the old rivals have met since an EFL Cup tie in September 2011.

Grant, now 36, only made one senior appearance for the Manchester club in his first season, but should expect to figure in the summer friendlies.

The veteran stopper is well aware of the Whites’ stature in English football and what their name means in the sport.

“They’re always great games,” he said. “I don’t think Man United are alone in thinking they enjoy playing against Leeds.

Ryan Giggs celebrates scoring their third goal during the Carling Cup Third Round match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road on September 20, 2011 (John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)

“Everybody enjoys playing against Leeds, everybody knows it’s an important club in English football, so yeah that’ll be a good one.”

Grant also admitted how intrigued he has been with Bielsa, who is, he said, very highly thought of by the Red Devils’ Spanish contingent.

“He’s really interesting, he seems like a large character, but what I will say as well is he is thought of really highly by a lot of the Spanish contingent in our squad,” said Grant.

“The more and more I read about him, the more intrigued I am. He’s a really interesting character.”