Michael Carrick speaks out on Manchester United rivalry with Leeds – ‘The players are aware’

Man Utd will return from a 24-day break between games to play Leeds in the Premier League on Monday night.

Michael Carrick has insisted Manchester United’s players are “aware” of the historic rivalry with Leeds ahead of Monday’s game. United will return from the international break by welcoming Leeds to Old Trafford.

United drew with Bournemouth before the break, but there will have been a 24-day gap between facing the Cheries and taking on Leeds. The Reds organised a training camp in the Republic of Ireland, but Leeds were in action last weekend, winning against West Ham in the FA Cup.

The points were shared between United and Leeds at Elland Road in January, which was Ruben Amorim’s final game in charge, and Carrick is expecting another lively occasion on Monday night.

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“It’s gone on for an awful long time,” he said about the rivalry. “I think that’s what rivalries are there for, for a really good reason, I think, to be part of, and the intensity and the emotion and the passion that goes into it.

“Obviously, it’s got to keep within the margins, but I think that’s part of the game we love, going up against other teams. Essentially all the areas, you know, and battling it out on the pitch. So I think it’s something that we’ve got to embrace. And it’s, as I say, it’s why we were involved for these types of games.

” And we’re certainly aware of it. I’m certainly aware of it. The players are aware of it. The extra that it means on top of the standard three points. So, yeah, we’re looking forward to it. It’s a big night for us.”

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Carrick believes the fixture’s edge could help the atmosphere within Old Trafford. “Yeah, hopefully it cranks it up, you know, and the stadium is alive,” he said of the impact it could have on the crowd.

“I’m sure it will be. It has been. It’s been unbelievable playing at home and the boys have responded and thrived off it, really. So, and with the supporters giving, you know, that balance and coming with us and spurring us on when we’ve needed that.

“So I expect it to be the same and with an extra little bit of edge because of it being late.”