MANCHESTER UNITED have not faced Leeds in the Premier League in front of the Elland Road crowd for more than 18 years.
The Red Devils played out a dismal goalless draw at their fierce rivals’ stadium last season, but the match was contested behind closed doors.
How Man Utd lined up against Leeds in 2003
PA:Press AssociationRonaldo was just a teenager when he started for Man Utd against Leeds at Elland Road
So the last time the pair actually faced one another in the Prem with fans present was a startling 18 and a half years ago.
It came on October 28 2003 – the campaign which ended with Leeds being relegated from England’s top flight.
It would take them 16 years to return to the big time – but who were they up against when they played Sir Alex Ferguson‘s men back then?
In goal was a young keeper in the form of Tim Howard – who would go on to enjoy an illustrious career with Everton.
At the back, United were flanked by sibling full-backs Gary and Phil Neville – with Rio Ferdinand and Mikael Silvestre making up the central defensive partnership.
The legendary midfielder pair of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes lined up in the middle of the park.
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Action Images – ReutersVan Nistelrooy helped the Red Devils secure victory at Leeds 18 years ago
But on the wings it was left to Darren Fletcher and Quinton Fortune to provide the width.
Goalscoring machine Ruud van Nistelrooy led the line for Ferguson’s men.
And he was joined by a man who would go on to become arguably the greatest goalscorer of all time in Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Ronaldo was just 18 at the time, but he did not get on the scoresheet at Elland Road that day.
Instead it was left to club captain Keane to head home the winner in the 81st minute as United secure a 1-0 victory.
Despite the win, Man Utd would go on to finish third in the Premier League – 15 points adrift of title winners Arsenal.
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