Leeds set up Manchester U FA Cup tie
Thursday, 10 December 2009
LONDON, Dec 9 (AFP): One of the bitterest rivalries in English football will be revived after Leeds United booked themselves a third round FA Cup tie against Manchester United.
Leeds, leaders of third tier League One, needed extra-time Tuesday to defeat non-league Kettering 5-1 after their second round replay match was locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Both Leeds and Manchester United were among England's leading teams in the late 1960s, with Leeds one of the dominant sides in the early 1970s when their Old Trafford-based rivals slumped after the exit of star player George Best and the retirement of manager Matt Busby.
English champions Manchester United remain a football powerhouse but Leeds have gone into a steep decline since being relegated from the Premier League five years ago.
Leeds is the major city in Yorkshire with Manchester occupying the same position in the neighbouring county of Lancashire but regional loyalties cannot explain the hatred, which started to become apparent in the 1970s.
Leeds, leaders of third tier League One, needed extra-time Tuesday to defeat non-league Kettering 5-1 after their second round replay match was locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Both Leeds and Manchester United were among England's leading teams in the late 1960s, with Leeds one of the dominant sides in the early 1970s when their Old Trafford-based rivals slumped after the exit of star player George Best and the retirement of manager Matt Busby.
English champions Manchester United remain a football powerhouse but Leeds have gone into a steep decline since being relegated from the Premier League five years ago.
Leeds is the major city in Yorkshire with Manchester occupying the same position in the neighbouring county of Lancashire but regional loyalties cannot explain the hatred, which started to become apparent in the 1970s.