Manchester United travels to Elland Road on January 4 with a depleted squad, while Leeds enters the match unbeaten in six games.
At a Glance
- Kickoff: Sunday, Jan. 4 at 7:30 a.m. ET (4:30 a.m. PT)
- TV/Stream: USA Network (US), TNT Sports (UK), Fubo (Canada), Stan Sport (Australia)
- Man United missing: Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, plus three Africa Cup of Nations call-ups
- Why it matters: A win could vault the injury-hit Red Devils into fifth place, while Leeds aims to climb further from the drop zone
Sunday’s Yorkshire-Manchester derby arrives with both clubs at pivotal moments. United boss Ruben Amorim must patch together a starting XI after losing seven senior players, yet victory would lift his side into the European qualification spots. Leeds, buoyed by Thursday’s 0-0 draw at Liverpool, have not lost since late November and sense a chance to drag their rivals into a dogfight.
Where to Watch
US viewers can catch the match on USA Network via cable or stream it on Sling TV Blue ($46/month). UK audiences need TNT Sports (£31/month), while Canadians require Fubo (CA$27 first month) and Australians can use Stan Sport (AU$20/month on top of base Stan plan).
The Team News
United’s absentee list reads like a fantasy lineup: captain Bruno Fernandes, breakout teen Kobbie Mainoo, defensive pillars Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire, plus forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo and defender Noussair Mazraoui are all unavailable. Leeds, comparatively fresh, welcome the chance to extend their six-game unbeaten streak.
Recent Form Snapshot
| Club | Last Result | Current Run |
|---|---|---|
| Leeds | 0-0 at Liverpool | 6 unbeaten |
| Man United | 1-1 vs Wolves (home) | 1 win in 4 |
Joshua Zirkzee scored his second goal in three league starts in that Wolves draw, offering United a rare bright spot amid the gloom.
Key Takeaways
- United could jump to fifth with three points despite the crisis
- Leeds’ revival underlines the tightness of the mid-table scrap
- Broadcast options span four continents, starting at 12:30 p.m. GMT
Elland Road has witnessed countless seismic clashes; Sunday’s edition may hinge on which side best navigates its contrasting fortunes.
