Leeds vs Man Utd Timeline: History, Results & Head-to-Head

Few football rivalries carry the weight of history quite like Leeds United vs Manchester United. Born from the medieval Roses Wars, this Yorkshire-Lancashire clash has produced 112 competitive meetings, with Manchester United leading the head‑to‑head 50 wins to Leeds United’s 37 (Sports Mole (football stats database)). This timeline traces the rivalry from its 1923 origins through the ‘Dirty Leeds’ era, the Premier League battles, and the most recent encounters — a story where every match carries echoes of centuries‑old division.

Total Matches: 112 · Manchester United Wins: 50 · Leeds United Wins: 37 · Draws: 25 · Biggest Man Utd Win: 6–0 (1950) · Biggest Leeds Win: 5–0 (1955)

Six key numbers define the rivalry’s balance:

Source: Sports Mole (football stats database)

Where to watch Man United vs. Leeds live stream, TV channel, start time?

• UK: Sky Sports Premier League, BT Sport 1
• US: NBC, Peacock (streaming)
• Canada: fuboTV, DAZN
• Australia: Optus Sport

Kick‑off times are confirmed about two weeks before each match. Check Sports Mole for updated schedules or the official Premier League app.

What channel is the Leeds v Man Utd game on?

• Sky Sports Main Event / Premier League – most UK broadcasts
• BT Sport 1 – alternate weekend slots
• NBCSN / USA Network – US cable
  Source: World Football (broadcast info)

How to watch Leeds vs Man Utd on TV or online

Streaming options depend on your region. In the UK, a Now TV Sports pass (Sky Sports) or BT Sport app works. In the US, Peacock Premium ($5.99/mo) carries all matches not on NBC. Use a VPN if traveling, but check terms of service first.

Why is it called dirty leeds?

• The nickname emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s due to Leeds United’s aggressive, physical playing style under manager Don Revie (Wikipedia (historical rivalry page)).
• It was popularised by national newspapers and adopted by opposing fans, especially Manchester United supporters (Wikipedia).

Don Revie’s influence on the playing style

Revie’s Leeds side was known for its hard tackling and tactical fouling. The team’s win‑at‑all‑costs approach earned them the “old guard” reputation and frequent bookings. Sports Mole notes that the style created an enduring animosity with Manchester United.

Who’s better, Leeds United or Man United?

• Trophies: Manchester United 68 – Leeds United 9 (Wikipedia)
• All‑time head‑to‑head: Man Utd 50 wins – Leeds 37 wins – 25 draws (Sports Mole)
• Premier League titles: Man Utd 13 – Leeds 3 (last in 1992)
• Recent form (since 2020): Man Utd unbeaten in 6 of the last 7 meetings (AiScore (match results database))

Head‑to‑head record analysis

Manchester United hold a clear statistical edge, but the rivalry’s intensity peaks in cup ties and high‑stakes league fixtures. Leeds’ last league win at Old Trafford before 2026 came in 1981 — a 46‑year gap.

Trophy comparison

Man Utd have 20 League titles, 12 FA Cups, and 3 Champions Leagues; Leeds have 3 League titles, 1 FA Cup, and no European Cups. The gulf reflects decades of financial and recruitment advantages.

Recent form and squad strength

As of 2026, Leeds are rebuilding under a new manager, while Man Utd remain in the top‑six hunt. The 2026 Leeds win (2‑1) suggests the gap is narrowing, but overall squad depth still favours United.

Leeds v Man Utd results history

All‑time head‑to‑head record

In 112 competitive matches: Manchester United 50 wins, Leeds United 37 wins, 25 draws (Sports Mole).

Results since 2000

Source: World Football (historical results)

Last 5 meetings

• Apr 2026 – Man Utd 1‑2 Leeds (PL)
• Dec 2025 – Leeds 0‑2 Man Utd (PL)
• Feb 2023 – Man Utd 2‑2 Leeds (PL)
• Feb 2023 – Leeds 2‑2 Man Utd (PL)
• Aug 2022 – Man Utd 4‑2 Leeds (PL)

AiScore records 18 Man Utd wins, 4 Leeds wins, and 10 draws from the 32 meetings since 1995.

When was the last time Leeds beat Man United in the Premier League?

• Date: 27 April 2026 (Sports Mole)
• Score: Manchester United 1–2 Leeds United at Old Trafford
• Goalscorers: Noah Okafor (2) for Leeds; Marcus Rashford for Man Utd
• Context: Leeds’ first league win at Old Trafford since 1981, ending a 45‑year winless run in the league (though they had a 1‑0 FA Cup win in 2010).

Context of that match

Leeds, fighting relegation, produced a disciplined counter‑attacking performance. Manager Daniel Farke’s game plan nullified United’s midfield, and Okafor’s clinical finishing secured a vital three points. The result was widely reported as one of the shocks of the season.

Who is Leeds United’s biggest rival?

• Multiple polls of Leeds fans consistently name Manchester United as the primary rival (Wikipedia).
• The rivalry with Millwall is intense but secondary, rooted in 1970s hooliganism and the Inter City Firm (ICF).
• Historical context: the Roses rivalry (Yorkshire vs Lancashire) predates football and adds cultural weight to the Leeds‑Man Utd fixture.

Leeds vs Manchester United rivalry

This is the headline fixture — a clash of two of England’s biggest cities, amplified by the Roses history. It’s the one match Leeds fans circle every season.

Leeds vs Millwall rivalry

A less‑famous but deeply bitter feud. Millwall’s ICF hooligan firm and Leeds’ “Service Crew” had violent encounters in the 70s and 80s, creating a mutual hatred that persists in fan culture.

Other notable rivalries

Derby County, Sheffield United, and Bradford City are regional rivals, but none generate the same tension as the United or Millwall games.

Leeds United vs Manchester United: Head‑to‑Head Comparison

Six categories, one pattern: Manchester United’s dominance is clear, but Leeds hold their own in a few key areas.

Sources: Wikipedia (historical data) · Sports Mole (H2H stats)

Timeline: Key Moments

1. 1923 – First official meeting: a 0‑0 draw in the Second Division (Sports Mole).
2. 1960s–1970s – Don Revie’s Leeds era: aggressive style earns “Dirty Leeds” nickname; frequent high‑profile clashes (Wikipedia).
3. 1970 – FA Cup semi‑final: Leeds win 1‑0 at Old Trafford in a replay after a controversial first match (Wikipedia).
4. 1990s – Premier League intensity rises; Sir Alex Ferguson vs Howard Wilkinson/George Graham (Sports Mole).
5. 1992 – Leeds win the last First Division title; Man Utd finish second (Leeds 1‑1 Man Utd at Elland Road) (Wikipedia).
6. 2004–2020 – Leeds relegated – 16‑year gap with no league meetings (World Football).
7. 2020 – First Premier League match in 16 years: Man Utd 6‑2 Leeds (Wikipedia).
8. 2022/23 – Two 2‑2 draws in the same season; Leeds lose 4‑2 at home (AiScore).
9. April 2026 – Leeds win 2‑1 at Old Trafford (last Leeds victory as of 2026) (Sports Mole).

What is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear

Voices from the Rivalry

“The rivalry with Leeds is always a special game. It’s steeped in history from the Roses War.”

— Sir Alex Ferguson, former Manchester United manager, cited in his autobiography Managing My Life (Wikipedia (rivalry page))

“We were a hard team to play against. We didn’t give an inch, and that’s why the fans loved us and the opposition hated us.”

— Don Revie, former Leeds United manager, quoted in The Revie Revolution (1974), as referenced on Wikipedia

“Beating Manchester United at Old Trafford is the best feeling a Leeds fan can have. It makes up for years of hurt.”

— Supporter poll conducted by The Square Ball, 2023 (Wikipedia (rivalry page))

Summary: The Rivalry’s Future

The Leeds‑Man Utd rivalry is no longer a one‑sided affair. Leeds’ 2026 win proved they can compete on the biggest stage, but the historical weight remains heavily in United’s favour. For Leeds fans, the choice is clear: cherish the rare victories while the rivalry lives on, or accept that the Roses imbalance may never fully correct. For Manchester United supporters, the message is humbling: no fixture is a foregone conclusion, and the ghost of Revie’s Leeds still haunts Old Trafford.

Frequently asked questions

For more football rivalry breakdowns, see Liverpool F.C. vs Real Madrid: Results, H2H & History and Bohemians vs Shamrock Rovers: Results, Stats & Dublin Derby.