Manchester United and Leeds have always been one of the most heated rivalries in English football, but there have been multiple players who have played for both clubs throughout their careers.
When Leeds returned to the Premier League in 2025 after a two-year absence, it meant Manchester United fans had two extra fixtures to look forward to in the calendar year.
Ruben Amorim’s side will face Leeds for the first time this season when they travel to Elland Road on Sunday, but they will host their bitter rivals at Old Trafford in April for the reverse fixture.
The Red Devils are going into the game looking to bounce back from a disappointing draw with Wolves. It was another wasted opportunity to edge closer to the Premier League’s top four on the same night Aston Villa and Chelsea dropped points.
Sir Alex Ferguson once said the intensity of Man Utd vs Leeds makes Liverpool games look calm. Is he right?
Leeds are sitting in the bottom half of the table after managing just five wins this season.
Daniel Farke will be mindful of how Wolves, the worst side in the Premier League, were able to take a point off United.
United and Leeds is a fixture full of history, so we’re going to look at five iconic players who played for both clubs.
Gordon McQueen
After costing Leeds £30,000 to sign from St Mirren, Gordon McQueen became a star at Leeds during the 70s, but he was playing his football at Old Trafford by 1978.
That was when he became Britain’s most expensive footballer for £495,000. United paid big for a swashbuckling defensive stopper who was pacey for his height, proving to be an ideal partner for compatriot Martin Buchan.
McQueen won the FA Cup at United in 1983 when United beat Brighton 4-0 following a replay.
Joe Jordan
A tough Scottish striker, who swapped Leeds for the Red Devils in 1978 before going on to score 41 goals in 208 appearances.
Jordan has already established himself as one of the top strikers in the First Division at Leeds, which is why Dave Sexton decided to bring him to Old Trafford.
After four seasons playing under Sexton, Jordan left United for AC Milan.
Denis Irwin
Arguably the most reliable defender in United’s history, Denis Irwin became a first team member at Leeds in 1983 when they were playing in the Second Division.
Irwin eventually signed for Oldham Athletic after making 72 league appearances for Leeds, but his best years would come as a Red at Old Trafford. That’s where the Irishman won seven Premier League titles, two FA Cups, the League Cup, and the Champions League in 1999.
Irwin is still considered one of the greatest full-backs in United’s history.
Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona arrived in England from Nimes in January of 1992 and proved instrumental to the Leeds side that won the first edition of the Premier League. Sir Alex Ferguson decided to swoop in after just 28 league appearances and sign the Frenchman for £1.2 million.
It later proved to be one of the greatest transfers of all time as Cantona became a catalyst for future success at United, proving to be a leader in a young squad with the likes of David Beckham and Gary Neville.
In 1997, Cantona unexpectedly announced his retirement from football. The news was devastating for United fans.
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Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand left London in 2000 when he transferred from West Ham to Leeds in a deal worth £18 million.
The defender impressed at Elland Road and later set the record the highest fee ever paid for a defender and for a British player in any position, in July 2002 when Ferguson came knocking.
Ferdinand spent 12 trophy-laden seasons at Old Trafford, winning six Premier League titles, two League Cups, a Champions League and a FIFA Club World Cup.
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