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Marcelo Bielsa knows importance of Man United clash "perfectly"

:Headline: Marcelo Bielsa knows importance of Man United clash 'perfectly':
The first Premier League match between the sides in 16 years ended in a thumping 6-2 defeat for Leeds at Old Trafford in December.
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Marcelo Bielsa insists he needs no reminding how much victory over arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday would mean to Leeds fans.

The visit of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side to Elland Road was the first game Whites supporters looked out for when the Premier League fixture list was released in August.

"I know perfectly what it means to play in a classic game," Bielsa said. "I know the effect that the result will have on the emotion of the people."

Bruno Fernandes converted Manchester United's sixth goal against Leeds in December from the penalty spot (Clive Brunskill/PA)

The two sides' first top-flight clash in 16 years ended in a thumping 6-2 defeat for Leeds at Old Trafford in December and revenge would be the highlight of their season.

More fan protests against the ill-fated European Super League were planned at grounds across the country this weekend before the venture collapsed and Bielsa hopes all eyes can now return to events on the field.

"I always hope that there is calmness," he said. "I think this subject has already been consumed.

"Football and a classic game like this, there is a grade of excitement that is absolutely enough.

Leeds players joined in the protests against the proposed European Super League before Monday's draw with Liverpool (Paul Ellis/PA)

"The most clear demand from this episode is to put the focus on the competition."

Leeds are unbeaten in their last five league matches, which have included draws against Chelsea and Liverpool, plus victory while playing the second half with 10 men at Manchester City.

Bielsa's side are bidding to retain their top-10 place, but must do so without club-record signing Rodrigo, who remains sidelined due to a muscle strain.

Raphinha is another key player who is struggling to recover in time after he missed Monday night's 1-1 draw with Liverpool after sustaining a thigh injury at the Etihad Stadium.

"With Raphinha we're controlling his evolution on a daily basis," Bielsa said. "Up until now he hasn't recovered sufficiently to be able to train.

"Rodrigo is in the last stages of his recovery, but not well enough to feature this weekend against Manchester United."

At Old Trafford in December, Solskjaer's side ruthlessly punished Leeds' defensive lapses, but Bielsa feels the 6-2 scoreline was not a true reflection of the game.

"Of course what happened in that last game is present in our minds," he added. "You have to recognise the characteristics of the opponents' forwards and try to organise our players on the field so they can pick up the protagonists.

"We try to match them up with players in our team who are up to the challenge of neutralising them."

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256
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