While supporters of a certain generation recall Don Revie's 'Dirty Leeds' as the most-hated in the land, Leeds' top flight hiatus has meant a new generation of fan, those under the age of 30, have little to no lived experience of the historic tag Leeds carried with them for decades.
Amongst millennials, Leeds became a team viewed more fondly, for their big club status, one reclaiming their rightful place amongst the elite. This feeling was strengthened by their front-foot, audacious and entertaining brand of football pioneered by principled and enigmatic manager, the 'football hipster' icon Marcelo Bielsa.
One group of supporters were not so pleased to see the Whites return, however. Manchester United - Leeds' arch-rivals - have hardly welcomed Bielsa and his squad back to the Premier League.
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Since promotion in 2020, Leeds have lost three of four matches against the Red Devils, conceding 15 times, hitting back with just four goals of their own.
Last Sunday's meeting at Elland Road contained all the occasion of a long-awaited cup final, but crucially on home turf.
Players' warm-ups were cheered - and jeered - more ferociously, while the manner in which Leeds scored their two goals unleashed some of the wildest and unabated celebrations Elland Road has seen in recent times.
Several questions followed the eventual 4-2 defeat, but one thing was abundantly clear: the animosity and fierce rivalry had not dissipated with Leeds' 16-year absence. If anything, it had been exacerbated.
Those who doubted Leeds' feelings towards their cross-Pennine rivals need only refer to the colourful vernacular which Whites fans - of all ages - refer to Manchester United as.
Provided Leeds remain a Premier League club for the foreseeable future, there will come a time when the Whites defeat their arch-rivals once again.
Their recent results against Manchester United will only embolden those celebrations, whenever that day may be.
Longstanding competitive rivalries are the lifeblood of club football as we know it and Leeds versus Manchester United only serves to reinforce that fact.
While the ill-feeling is stronger on one side of the Pennines compared to the other, well-travelled Manchester United supporters recognise the scale and magnitude of their rivalry.
It is no longer one of competitive equals; it is rooted and much more deep-seated.
The only conclusion from this can be that modern day football rivalries are stronger based on the foundations of the past.
Manchester City may be Man. United's closest geographical rivals, and increasingly competitive rivals, whilst Liverpool are perhaps the Red Devils' fiercest rival.
But, Leeds are back and Elland Road demonstrated they will not settle for third-best. The rivalry remains strong as ever, as far as Whites supporters are concerned.
There is no club in the land which provokes the same reaction from Leeds supporters as Manchester United.
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