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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
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Manchester CityMan City33237380324876
3Liverpool34228475344174
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton331111115254-244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916
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