Manchester United midfielder Fred salutes Leeds United ahead of 'English football Clasico' at Elland Road

By Lee Sobot
Published 22nd Apr 2021, 11:31 BST
Updated 22nd Apr 2021, 11:32 BST
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MANCHESTER United midfielder Fred has showered Leeds United with compliments ahead of Sunday's "English football Clasico" against the Whites at Elland Road.

Leeds will host a Premier League fixture against their arch rivals for the first time since October 2003 in Sunday's 2pm kick-off in West Yorkshire.

The Roses rivals met in the first top-flight clash between the two sides for over 16 years in December's clash at Old Trafford in which Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side ran out 6-2 winners after an early Scott McTominay brace.

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But Marcelo Bielsa's Whites are approaching the Red Devils rematch following a 2-1 victory at Manchester City and 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool and Fred says his side are fully aware of the quality of opposition they will face.

PRAISE: For Leeds United from Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Fred, centre, pictured holding off Mateusz Klich in December's clash at Old Trafford. Photo by Nick Potts - Pool/Getty Images.PRAISE: For Leeds United from Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Fred, centre, pictured holding off Mateusz Klich in December's clash at Old Trafford. Photo by Nick Potts - Pool/Getty Images.
PRAISE: For Leeds United from Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Fred, centre, pictured holding off Mateusz Klich in December's clash at Old Trafford. Photo by Nick Potts - Pool/Getty Images.

The Brazilian midfielder also says there is no doubting the magnitude of the fixture which he has compared to an English football 'Clasico' - the term given to the always eagerly awaited meetings in Spain between fierce rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid.

"Definitely, it's an English football Clasico,” said Fred, speaking to Manchester United's official website.

“We get a feel for this anticipation from social media.

"The fans are excited about this game, as are we of course.

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"We haven't had a midweek game this week, so the anticipation for the next game increases and it's a derby game against a massive rival.

“It'll be a really tough game but we'll be preparing well for it this week.”

Asked if the 6-2 victory against Leeds in December was his side's stand out showing of the season so far, Fred said: "I don't know if it was our best performance of the season, (but) 6-2 was a great result of course.