Pre-Match news and comments

ManUtd.com

29/11/2009
16:12,
Report by Steve Bartram

United Face Cup Minnows

United have been drawn at home to Kettering Town or Leeds United in the FA Cup third round.

Conference side Kettering held League One high-flyers Leeds to a 1-1 draw at Rockingham Road on Sunday, and a replay will be required on December 8 to determine which side travels to Old Trafford on January 2 or 3.

The Reds have only twice before faced Kettering - winning FA Cup first round ties in 1896 and 1897 under the club's initial moniker of Newton Heath - but share a deep rooted rivalry with the Whites, despite their absence from the Premier League since 2004.

Speaking after their deadlock at Rockingham Road, Leeds manager Simon Grayson and his Kettering counterpart Lee Harper were both in agreement about the incentive of travelling to Old Trafford.

"It's a fantastic draw for either us or Kettering and a fantastic incentive to get through," Grayson told ITV Sport. "Obviously the rivalry's there for Leeds and Manchester United, but we've got to get through Kettering first. It's a tie both teams will be looking forward to. That's what the FA Cup's all about."

Harper concedes his side will be underdogs to oust the League One leaders on their own turf, and thus is focusing solely on the looming replay at Elland Road.

"It's going to be extremely difficult to go to Elland Road and get a result," he said. "It'll be hard for us, but we'll give it our best shot. We've got an enormous task ahead of us before we start thinking about getting there (Old Trafford) yet. We're going to go to Elland Road, have a great time, do our best and you never know what'll happen."


LeedsUnited.com

Grayson's Men Set For Sunday Screen Test
09 Dec 2009

Leeds United's trip to Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup will take place on Sunday January 3 (1pm).

United progressed through to the third round after beating Kettering Town in a second round replay on Tuesday, and manager Simon Grayson is looking forward to a tie "the fans deserve".

"This is what the club deserves and the fans deserve," said the boss.

"We've had a lot of negative times over the past few years, and this is a great tie for the club, and something for the fans to look forward to.

"But as a group we have to concentrate on Brentford at the weekend and the games before then. We have a lot bigger games before the Man United game."

ManUtd.com

01/01/2010
17:00,
Report by James Tuck
Sir Alex relishing Leeds' return

Sir Alex Ferguson is looking forward to renewing rivalries with an old foe when Leeds United come to Old Trafford in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Leeds' fall from the Barclays Premier League to League One obscurity began six seasons ago and the Reds' manager admits he's missed the derby-like intensity – on and off the pitch – of clashes with the men from over the Pennines.

"I don’t need to spell out to Manchester United fans and players what Leeds games have meant over the years," said Sir Alex, at a press conference to preview the first meeting between the sides since February 2004.

"They were fantastic, feisty occasions every time we met, there was always a tinge of hostility hovering around the game and we always told the players to behave themselves on the pitch.

"I used to enjoy the games – they made us perform. We had some great games at Leeds because the atmosphere was always electric and our record was good – I think we only lost once there. They were two competitive teams then, but it’s a different United team now, and we just have to make sure we play our normal game.

"They’re bringing 9,000 fans, so it will be a brilliant atmosphere and a fantastic cup tie."

Sir Alex has been impressed with the job Simon Grayson has done as manager of Leeds, who are eight points clear at the top of League