Yorkshire Post 3/1/10
A long time coming - Leeds captain Naylor
LEEDS captain Richard Naylor hailed his side's heroic FA Cup third round win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, and the lifelong fan admitted: "It was a long time coming."
Jermaine Beckford's first-half strike gave Leeds a lead they defended throughout, sparking jubilant scenes among the massed ranks of visiting fans after five nervous injury-time minutes.
Naylor said: "We've had to wait a long time since we last won here and I'm really proud of the lads and the supporters.
"I thought we had a few chances to make it two late on. They're always going to get chances at Old Trafford, you wouldn't expect anything else but we dug in when we had to."Leeds boss Simon Grayson paid tribute to Beckford for his nerveless strike.
He said: "It was good ball from Jonathan Howson and Jermaine got in there and nine times out of 10 he finishes them off and that's what he did.
"He gave us an opportunity to go on and win the game from there and with a bit of luck that's what we did. Full credit to the players who were outstanding today but it's what they've been like all season."
Referring to Brian Flynn being the last man to score the winner for Leeds at Old Trafford in 1981, Grayson added: "I saw Flynny the other week and he reminded me he was the last player to score the winner at Old Trafford.
"I told the players before the game this was the opportunity to be a new hero. I'm sure we'll be celebrating in Leeds over the next few days and the players might have tomorrow off then start ready for the Wycombe game at the weekend."
Mail 3/1/10
Manchester United 0 Leeds United 1: Jermaine Beckford is the hero as Simon Grayson's side dump champions out of the FA Cup
Leeds emerged from five years of hurt to inflict some pain of their own as Jermaine Beckford's first-half goal sent old enemies Manchester United crashing out of the FA Cup.
It is six years since Leeds' loyal fans have made this particular trip - and not since 1981 have they returned across the Pennines celebrating victory. But in manager Simon Grayson they have a man with the club in his heart, and in Beckford they have a striker capable of shooting them to better things.
Those are things to cling to when your once proud club has struck financial strife so deep it sends you tumbling into League One.
And when Beckford's 20th goal of the campaign trundled past Tomasz Kuszczak, you could just sense the hosts would not be saved - not even by the five minutes of stoppage time that must have shredded a few nerves before that final glorious release.
In a sense, Sir Alex Ferguson was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Normally, a week involving two cup matches, one against a side from two levels below, at home, would offer an obvious opportunity to blood a few of his youngsters.
Yet Leeds are no ordinary League One outfit. Even if they were not surging clear at the top, fuelled by a confidence manager Simon Grayson has painstakingly built up during his time at the helm, this could never be a normal fixture.
The sight of Eddie Gray and Alex Stepney in the press box was a reminder of one era when the Roses rivals fought battles at the very top.
The presence of an injured Rio Ferdinand in the directors' box triggered more memories.
In addition, the presence of 9,000 visiting supporters created an atmosphere that crackled from the first whistle, long after minor scuffles outside had reminded everyone that there is no love lost between the two whatsoever. Leeds were primed and ready.
The home side crucially stood off, the sheer ferocity of the visitors' approach catching the less experienced members of their team by surprise.
The Yorkshire outfit were already on top when first Dimitar Berbatov, then Danny Welbeck, lost possession inside the Leeds half. Jonathan Howson spotted his opportunity and launched a long ball over the top for Beckford, who had stolen half a yard on Wes Brown.
The Manchester United defender was only playing because Nemanja Vidic had been injured in the warm-up and must have thought he had got away with it as Beckford's control took the ball away from him.
But Kuszczak was slow to react and Beckford had time to nip the ball beyond the Pole and send it rolling over the line. Grayson, a Leeds fan as a kid and a Leeds player as an adult, led the jubilant celebrations, fully aware of what this particular hostility means on both sides of the Pennines.
Their ecstasy would have only lasted five minutes if Jason Crowe had not been quick-witted enough to get back onto the goal-line as Wayne Rooney charged onto Berbatov's reverse pass.
Rooney bore down on the Leeds goal, then beat Casper Ankergren with a low shot that was heading in until Crowe scrambled it away. If anything, the second period was even more fractious as United's desperation for an equaliser - and Leeds' to stop them - increased.
Welbeck was denied by Ankergren's right leg when he let fly for the bottom corner after charging into the box. The youngster also set up Berbatov, but again Ankergren came out on top. Ferguson decided it was time for the reinforcements, which are always readily available if things are going wrong in such circumstances.
This time it was Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia, although the response was muted and 10 minutes later Michael Owen was on as well.
It is almost a month since Owen scored that hat-trick in Wolfsburg, since when he has not started a game.
That lack of match practice was evident as, with virtually his first touch, he scuffed his shot after getting himself in the perfect position to turn home Valencia's cut-back.
Rooney blasted over from a similar position before Leeds countered and Beckford skimmed the far post with a shot across the face of goal.
Robert Snodgrass came even closer shortly afterwards when his free-kick shook the angle of bar and post with Kuszczak beaten.
As is their nature, United pushed and pushed. But the equaliser would not come as their failure to retain possession allowed Leeds to celebrate a famous victory.
Mirror 3/1/10
Manchester United 0-1 Leeds: Jermaine Beckford the hero as Old Trafford giants are slayed
Jermaine Beckford's first half goal sent Leeds into FA Cup dreamland at Old Trafford.
The in-form striker's 20th goal of the season was enough to dump Manchester United out of the
competition.
On their first visit for nearly six years, the League One side clinched their first win at the home of their bitter rivals since 1981 and it was greeted with unbridled joy by a 9,000-strong travelling army.
Sir Alex Ferguson turned to his youth brigade as Manchester United faced Leeds for the first time in nearly six years this afternoon.
Despite stating he would be using his younger players in Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final with Manchester City, Ferguson still named Gabriel Obertan, Fabio Da Silva, Danny Welbeck and Darron Gibson in his starting line-up to face the Yorkshiremen.
Leeds were backed by a 9,000-strong travelling support but the odds were against the League One outfit registering the club's first Old Trafford victory since 1981.
The hosts suffered an early blow when Nemanja Vidic was injured in the warm-up, so Wes Brown stepped up from the substitutes' bench to partner the returning Jonny Evans in central defence.
Leeds made a spirited start and Bradley Johnson had an opportunity to pick out the in-form Jermaine Beckford but squandered it. However, he did manage to force Gary Neville into conceding a corner that Tomasz Kuszczak had to punch away under pressure.
Beckford hooked a volley over, then Anderson fouled Johnson, only for Andy Hughes to drift his free-kick straight to Kuszczak.
Beckford collected Neil Kilkenny's short pass and curled another effort towards the home goal that Kuszczak saved comfortably.
Obertan's chipped cross was too near Casper Ankergren after he had been released by Welbeck, then the Frenchman misdirected a cross to the young striker as Berbatov screamed for a cut-back.
Anderson screwed a shot wide as the Premier League champions began to exert their authority.
However, Leeds were still a threat, as they proved after 19 minutes when Welbeck lost possession inside the visitors' half and Jonathan Howson launched a long ball over the top for Beckford to chase.
The striker got half a yard on Brown and, although his first touch appeared too strong, Kuszczak was slow to react and Beckford turned the ball into the United net as the Pole raced out.
On the touchline, Leeds boss Simon Grayson was ecstatic.
However, his joy would have lasted only five minutes if Jason Crowe had not scampered back to clear off the line after Wayne Rooney had sprung the Leeds offside trap and raced forward into the visitors box before sliding a shot underneath Ankergren.
Leeds were performing heroically and Johnson floated a header wide of the far post after Crowe had charged forward on the overlap.
Rooney curled a shot wide at the other end after Obertan had won the hosts a corner.
The England star was trying to spark his team into life and he set up Welbeck for a shot that sailed narrowly wide from an acute angle.
Brown was booked for chopping down Luciano Becchio inside the Leeds half after Obertan had been caught in possession.
Ferguson could not have been impressed with his side's efforts. Gibson's square ball under no pressure summed up the half. The Irishman was way off target as he tried to find Neville.
The veteran defender still managed to reach the ball, only to see it roll out of play as he tried to control.
Brown's thundering challenge on Johnson triggered an angry reaction, with Grayson arguing with Neville at one point.
Leeds had the first attack of the second half as Howson curled over a cross that Kuszczak cut out.
Ferguson had resisted the temptation to make changes at the interval and could have been rewarded with a penalty when Welbeck was seemingly blocked off in the box by Howson, only for referee Chris Foy to wave play on.
There was even more friction now though. Howson and Gibson were picked out for a lecture for a scrap close to the home area that had started when Brown went in on the Leeds man.
Ankergren saved superbly to deny Welbeck, who had raced into the box. He then did even better to block a close-range Berbatov effort.
Gibson was booked for a late tackle on Johnson, and Naylor was also shown a yellow card when he cynically hacked down Rooney.
Brown, who was treading a very fine line, barged into the back of Beckford, although Leeds could make nothing of the free-kick.
Ferguson introduced Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia for Welbeck and Obertan just before the hour mark.
Leeds had been a muted attacking force for quite a while but Johnson let fly with a speculative blast that Kuszczak saved easily.
Fabio Da Silva strode onto a Rooney lay-off and curled a shot narrowly over the top.
Johnson went for goal with a 25-yard free-kick but Kuszczak gathered at the second attempt.
Michael Owen was the next man on, for Anderson, and both he and Berbatov had a chance to finish off Valencia's cut-back before Rooney blazed over.
Ankergren saved low from Rooney, who then fired over when well placed to do much better after Valencia had again created space.
Leeds were not totally reliant on defence, though, and Beckford came agonisingly close to sealing their place in the fourth round 12 minutes from time.
Robert Snodgrass came even closer shortly afterwards when his free-kick shook the angle of bar and post with Kuszczak beaten.
The pace was unrelenting and Owen thought he should have had a penalty when he went down under Hughes' challenge but Foy was unmoved.
Five additional minutes must have shredded a few nerves among the Leeds supporters. But after so many dark days, this was to be one of glory. Rooney wasted the last chance as he drove his shot wide.
Sky 3/1/10
Leeds turn back time
Shock of the round helps Whites remember paradise lost
By Peter Fraser
Leeds delivered a reminder of the glory days of old, and an example of what the future could hold, as they sent old enemies Manchester United tumbling out of the third round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory.
The Yorkshire side's fall from the Premier League and UEFA Champions League graces at the start of the millennium has been as infamous as it was staggering, but Jermaine Beckford struck at Old Trafford to show 2010 could be a turning point.
The striker, possibly the epitome of what has been the new era at the League One table-toppers, broke the deadlock in the 19th minute of a first half which had crackled with an atmosphere from the days of Best versus Charlton, never mind the more recent past.
Perhaps inevitably for a player who has now scored 20 goals this season, the forward collected Jonny Howson's long ball, which Wes Brown had misjudged, to display a composure some argue he lacks and roll past the onrushing Tomasz Kuszczak.
Old Trafford rocked to the celebrations of 9,000 travelling fans from across The Pennines, but United nearly responded immediately through their own talismanic striker as a Wayne Rooney poke at goal was blocked on the goalline by Jason Crowe.
Leeds went in at half-time one goal in front to set up a simmering second passage as tackles clattered and the game comfortably delivered the most engrossing action of what had been a drab third round bereft of the famous cup shocks.
Substitute Michael Owen and Rooney both missed glorious chances for Premier League champions United, but Beckford was also wasteful at the other end and Leeds replacement Robert Snodgrass hit the woodwork with a free-kick as the visitors finished strongly to record a storybook win.
Sir Alex Ferguson had turned to his youth brigade as despite stating he would be using his fringe players in Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final with Manchester City, he still named Gabriel Obertan, Fabio Da Silva, Danny Welbeck and Darron Gibson.
Simon Grayson's Leeds were well backed but the odds were against the League One champions-elect registering the club's first Old Trafford victory since 1981 in the first meeting between the two sides in almost six years.
The hosts suffered an early blow when Nemanja Vidic was injured in the warm-up, so Brown stepped up from the substitutes' bench to partner the returning Jonny Evans in central defence.
Spirited start
Leeds made a spirited start and Bradley Johnson had an opportunity to pick out the in-form Beckford but squandered it. However, he did manage to force Gary Neville into conceding a corner that Kuszczak had to punch away under pressure.
Beckford, who could leave in the transfer window, hooked a volley over, then Anderson fouled Johnson, only for Andy Hughes to drift his free-kick straight to Kuszczak.
Beckford collected Neil Kilkenny's short pass and curled another effort towards the home goal that Kuszczak saved comfortably.
Obertan's chipped cross was too near Casper Ankergren after he had been released by Welbeck, then the Frenchman misdirected a cross to the young striker as Berbatov screamed for a cut-back.
Anderson screwed a shot wide as the Premier League champions began to exert their authority.
However, Leeds were still a threat, as they proved after 19 minutes when Welbeck lost possession inside the visitors' half and Howson launched a long ball over the top for Beckford to chase.
The striker got half a yard on Brown and, although his first touch appeared too strong, Kuszczak was slow to react and Beckford turned the ball into the United net, almost in slow motion as far as the disbelieving Leeds fans will have been concerned, as the Pole raced out.
However, his joy would have lasted only five minutes if Crowe had not scampered back to clear off the line after Rooney had sprung the Leeds offside trap and raced forward before toe-poking a shot underneath Ankergren.
Leeds were performing heroically and Johnson floated a header wide of the far post after Crowe had charged forward on the overlap.
Rooney curled a shot wide at the other end after Obertan had won the hosts a corner.
The England star was trying to spark his team into life, and he set up Welbeck
for a shot that sailed narrowly wide from an acute angle, but he was the only real threat to Leeds as Dimitar Berbatov delivered another of his frustrating displays.
Brown was booked for chopping down Luciano Becchio inside the Leeds half after Obertan had been caught in possession.
Ferguson could not have been impressed with his side's efforts. Gibson's square ball under no pressure summed up the half. The Irishman was way off target as he tried to find Neville.
The veteran defender still managed to reach the ball, only to see it roll out of play as he tried to control.
Thundering challenge
Brown's thundering challenge, one from the days of old, on Johnson triggered an angry reaction, with Leeds boss Grayson arguing with Neville at one point.
Leeds had the first attack of the second half as Howson curled over a cross that Kuszczak cut out.
Ferguson had resisted the temptation to make changes at the interval and could have been rewarded with a penalty when Welbeck was seemingly blocked off in the box by Howson, only for referee Chris Foy to wave play on.
There was even more friction now though. Howson and Gibson were picked out for a lecture after a scrap close to the home area that had started when Brown went in on the Leeds man.
Ankergren saved superbly to deny Welbeck, who had raced into the box. He then did even better to block a close-range Berbatov effort.
Gibson was booked for a late tackle on Johnson, and Naylor was also shown a yellow card when he cynically hacked down Rooney.
Brown, who was treading a very fine line, barged into the back of Beckford, although Leeds could make nothing of the free-kick.
Ferguson introduced Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia for Welbeck and Obertan just before the hour mark.
Leeds had been a muted attacking force for quite a while but Johnson let fly with a speculative blast that Kuszczak saved easily.
Fabio Da Silva strode onto a Rooney lay-off and curled a shot narrowly over the top.
Johnson went for goal with a 25-yard free-kick but Kuszczak gathered at the second attempt.
Owen and Rooney had their chances, but Leeds remained a threat as United were susceptible to the long ball and Beckford screwed wide on the break before Snodgrass curled against the joint of post and crossbar from a free-kick.
United knew it was not to be their day in injury time as Owen was denied by Ankergren in a goalmouth scramble to leave 'marching on together' reverberating around Old Trafford.
Telegraph 3/1/10
Manchester United 0 Leeds United 1: match report
By Mark Ogden at Old Trafford
Jermaine Beckford consigned Manchester United to FA Cup humiliation by sending League One Leeds United into the fourth round with a first-half winner that signalled the Yorkshire club’s first victory at Old Trafford since 1981.
Beckford, who is expected to leave Leeds for Newcastle United this month, scored on 19 minutes to become the first Leeds player since Brian Flynn to score a winner at Old Trafford.
The defeat for United also ensured that Sir Alex Ferguson experienced a third round exit for the first time. It was United’s first defeat to lower league opposition in the FA Cup since a 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth in 1984.
United manager Ferguson had vowed to field a strong team against the Elland Road outfit, but the Scot performed a selection about-turn by naming youngsters Darron Gibson, Gabriel Obertan and Fabio da Silva in his starting line-up.
Having seen a half-strength team defeat Spurs in the Carling Cup quarter-final last month, however, Ferguson would have expected his players to repeat that performance against an opponent from the third tier.
But the Premier League champions were outfought by Leeds from the kick-off and the sheer intensity of the fixture appeared to catch many of United’s players by surprise.
Ferguson had spoken of the bitter rivalry between the two clubs in the build-up to the game and how his players could expect a raucous atmosphere with Leeds backed by 9,000 travelling fans.
The message apparently didn’t sink in, though, and Grayson’s team were the first to every ball in a ferociously fought encounter.
So United could have no complaints when Beckford put Leeds ahead on 19 minutes with what could be his last goal for the club.
Jonny Howson’s stunning 40 yard pass found Beckford 25 yards from goal and the forward escaped Wes Brown before guiding a left foot shot into the far corner past goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.
United attempted to respond, but Leeds matched fire with fire, with captain Richard Naylor joining Brown in referee Chris Foy’s notebook.
Wayne Rooney was denied an equaliser on 25 minutes, though, when full-back Jason Crowe cleared his goalbound effort off the line.
Other than that near miss, however, United struggled to test Leeds goalkeeper Casper Ankergren and it was the visitors that looked likelier to add to the scoring.
The game threatened to boil over 48 minutes when Brown’s late tackle on Michael Doyle prompted both sets of players to confront each other on the edge of the United penalty area.
Once the game settled down, Leeds continued to take the game to United and Beckford should have made it 2-0 on 78 minutes when he sprung the offside trap before shooting wide of the far post.
And substitute Robert Snodgrass rattled the United crossbar with a 20-yard free-kick on 80 minutes.
Despite finishing the game with Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen on the pitch, though, United just could not find the goal to save the tie and avoid humiliation.
Leedsunited.com 3/1/10
BECKS GOAL SLAYS MAN UNITED
MAN UTD 0, LEEDS UNITED 1 (Beckford 19)
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson recalled Bradley Johnson and Jonny Howson to his
starting line-up for the trip to Manchester United in place of the suspended Leigh Bromby and the injured Robert Snodgrass.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson paid Leeds the ultimate compliment by naming a strong starting line-up that included Wayne Rooney among others, although he was dealt a last-minute blow when Nemanja Vidic picked up an injury during the pre-match warm-up. Wes Brown was the late replacement.
Unsurprisingly, the game attracted a full-house with a spiky atmosphere, and with almost 9,000 Leeds fans present. It was a moment both sets of fans had waited for since Leeds' relegation from the Premiership six years ago, and the atmosphere didn't disappoint.
The home side did have one early shot - Darron Gibson firing wide - but Leeds also started with confidence and Tomasz Kuszczak had to be alert to punch clear a Bradley Johnson corner. Jermaine Beckford also turned a Jonny Howson cross over the top.
At the other end, a teasing cross from Danny Welbeck drifted across the face of goal, and Gabriel Obertan also looked to find Welbeck with a pull-back, but the England man couldn't connect.
But on 20 minutes Leeds were in dreamland. Howson played a long ball forward and Beckford stripped Brown for pace before slipping the ball beyond Kuszczak to give Leeds the lead. The goal sparked jubilant scenes among both the players and the vast travelling support.
Moments later, Luciano Becchio headed over a Neil Kilkenny cross as United threatened again.
And when Man United came forward on 25 minutes, Dimitar Berbatov releasing Rooney, Jason Crowe made a goal-line clearance to keep the score at 1-0 when an equaliser looked certain.
But Leeds were showing no fear, Johnson heading a Crowe cross wide of the mark after another good attack from Grayson's men. On 35 minutes, Brown went in the book for Man U after a foul on Becchio as the striker looked to set United on another break.
As the game headed towards half-time, there was a short stoppage as Johnson received treatment, following a challenge by Brown.
The home side started the second half on the front foot and they had appeals for a penalty waved away when Howson clashed with Welbeck. As the ball was returned forward, there was a more serious clash involving Howson, Brown, and Gibson after an over-zealous challenge on Micky Doyle saw tempers flare.
Moments later, Gibson was booked for a challenge on Johnson while Richard Naylor saw yellow for a foul on Rooney. In between, the challenges, Casper Ankergren reacted well to deny both Welbeck and Berbatov.
The double arrival of Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia was designed to give the home side more of a cutting edge, but as the game edged past the hour-mark, Leeds were looking dogged and resilient.
When Leeds threatened again, Johnson curled a free-kick into the arms of Kuszczak. With 21 minutes to go, Ferguson made his final change, Michael Owen coming on as the home side looked to force an equaliser. But, when the chance presented itself to a combination of Owen and Berbatov, Paddy Kisnorbo cleared as far as Rooney who blasted high over the bar.
Rooney also fired over, following a Valenica cross, on 77 minutes.
And moments later, United had a chance to wrap the game up when Beckford seized upon a Doyle pass and his finish shaved the wrong side of the upright. Next, Robert Snodgrass rattled the woodwork with a free-kick which left Kuszczak with no chance.
It was a real credit to Leeds that as the game headed towards its final stages, the home side were unable to offer too much in the way of an attacking threat, and the near 9,000 travelling fans were roaring their heroes towards what would be a famous victory.
The 9,000 even chimed with chants of "Fergie Time" when five minutes were added on at the end of the 90. There was a moment of panic in the fourth minute, United scrambled the ball clear after Ankergren made a superb save, and when it was returned Rooney fired wide following a last-gasp corner.
And that proved to be the last meaningful action as Leeds recorded a first win for 29 years at Old Trafford, and the celebrations started.
A long time coming - Leeds captain Naylor
LEEDS captain Richard Naylor hailed his side's heroic FA Cup third round win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, and the lifelong fan admitted: "It was a long time coming."
Jermaine Beckford's first-half strike gave Leeds a lead they defended throughout, sparking jubilant scenes among the massed ranks of visiting fans after five nervous injury-time minutes.
Naylor said: "We've had to wait a long time since we last won here and I'm really proud of the lads and the supporters.
"I thought we had a few chances to make it two late on. They're always going to get chances at Old Trafford, you wouldn't expect anything else but we dug in when we had to."Leeds boss Simon Grayson paid tribute to Beckford for his nerveless strike.
He said: "It was good ball from Jonathan Howson and Jermaine got in there and nine times out of 10 he finishes them off and that's what he did.
"He gave us an opportunity to go on and win the game from there and with a bit of luck that's what we did. Full credit to the players who were outstanding today but it's what they've been like all season."
Referring to Brian Flynn being the last man to score the winner for Leeds at Old Trafford in 1981, Grayson added: "I saw Flynny the other week and he reminded me he was the last player to score the winner at Old Trafford.
"I told the players before the game this was the opportunity to be a new hero. I'm sure we'll be celebrating in Leeds over the next few days and the players might have tomorrow off then start ready for the Wycombe game at the weekend."
Mail 3/1/10
Manchester United 0 Leeds United 1: Jermaine Beckford is the hero as Simon Grayson's side dump champions out of the FA Cup
Leeds emerged from five years of hurt to inflict some pain of their own as Jermaine Beckford's first-half goal sent old enemies Manchester United crashing out of the FA Cup.
It is six years since Leeds' loyal fans have made this particular trip - and not since 1981 have they returned across the Pennines celebrating victory. But in manager Simon Grayson they have a man with the club in his heart, and in Beckford they have a striker capable of shooting them to better things.
Those are things to cling to when your once proud club has struck financial strife so deep it sends you tumbling into League One.
And when Beckford's 20th goal of the campaign trundled past Tomasz Kuszczak, you could just sense the hosts would not be saved - not even by the five minutes of stoppage time that must have shredded a few nerves before that final glorious release.
In a sense, Sir Alex Ferguson was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Normally, a week involving two cup matches, one against a side from two levels below, at home, would offer an obvious opportunity to blood a few of his youngsters.
Yet Leeds are no ordinary League One outfit. Even if they were not surging clear at the top, fuelled by a confidence manager Simon Grayson has painstakingly built up during his time at the helm, this could never be a normal fixture.
The sight of Eddie Gray and Alex Stepney in the press box was a reminder of one era when the Roses rivals fought battles at the very top.
The presence of an injured Rio Ferdinand in the directors' box triggered more memories.
In addition, the presence of 9,000 visiting supporters created an atmosphere that crackled from the first whistle, long after minor scuffles outside had reminded everyone that there is no love lost between the two whatsoever. Leeds were primed and ready.
The home side crucially stood off, the sheer ferocity of the visitors' approach catching the less experienced members of their team by surprise.
The Yorkshire outfit were already on top when first Dimitar Berbatov, then Danny Welbeck, lost possession inside the Leeds half. Jonathan Howson spotted his opportunity and launched a long ball over the top for Beckford, who had stolen half a yard on Wes Brown.
The Manchester United defender was only playing because Nemanja Vidic had been injured in the warm-up and must have thought he had got away with it as Beckford's control took the ball away from him.
But Kuszczak was slow to react and Beckford had time to nip the ball beyond the Pole and send it rolling over the line. Grayson, a Leeds fan as a kid and a Leeds player as an adult, led the jubilant celebrations, fully aware of what this particular hostility means on both sides of the Pennines.
Their ecstasy would have only lasted five minutes if Jason Crowe had not been quick-witted enough to get back onto the goal-line as Wayne Rooney charged onto Berbatov's reverse pass.
Rooney bore down on the Leeds goal, then beat Casper Ankergren with a low shot that was heading in until Crowe scrambled it away. If anything, the second period was even more fractious as United's desperation for an equaliser - and Leeds' to stop them - increased.
Welbeck was denied by Ankergren's right leg when he let fly for the bottom corner after charging into the box. The youngster also set up Berbatov, but again Ankergren came out on top. Ferguson decided it was time for the reinforcements, which are always readily available if things are going wrong in such circumstances.
This time it was Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia, although the response was muted and 10 minutes later Michael Owen was on as well.
It is almost a month since Owen scored that hat-trick in Wolfsburg, since when he has not started a game.
That lack of match practice was evident as, with virtually his first touch, he scuffed his shot after getting himself in the perfect position to turn home Valencia's cut-back.
Rooney blasted over from a similar position before Leeds countered and Beckford skimmed the far post with a shot across the face of goal.
Robert Snodgrass came even closer shortly afterwards when his free-kick shook the angle of bar and post with Kuszczak beaten.
As is their nature, United pushed and pushed. But the equaliser would not come as their failure to retain possession allowed Leeds to celebrate a famous victory.
Mirror 3/1/10
Manchester United 0-1 Leeds: Jermaine Beckford the hero as Old Trafford giants are slayed
Jermaine Beckford's first half goal sent Leeds into FA Cup dreamland at Old Trafford.
The in-form striker's 20th goal of the season was enough to dump Manchester United out of the
competition.On their first visit for nearly six years, the League One side clinched their first win at the home of their bitter rivals since 1981 and it was greeted with unbridled joy by a 9,000-strong travelling army.
Sir Alex Ferguson turned to his youth brigade as Manchester United faced Leeds for the first time in nearly six years this afternoon.
Despite stating he would be using his younger players in Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final with Manchester City, Ferguson still named Gabriel Obertan, Fabio Da Silva, Danny Welbeck and Darron Gibson in his starting line-up to face the Yorkshiremen.
Leeds were backed by a 9,000-strong travelling support but the odds were against the League One outfit registering the club's first Old Trafford victory since 1981.
The hosts suffered an early blow when Nemanja Vidic was injured in the warm-up, so Wes Brown stepped up from the substitutes' bench to partner the returning Jonny Evans in central defence.
Leeds made a spirited start and Bradley Johnson had an opportunity to pick out the in-form Jermaine Beckford but squandered it. However, he did manage to force Gary Neville into conceding a corner that Tomasz Kuszczak had to punch away under pressure.
Beckford hooked a volley over, then Anderson fouled Johnson, only for Andy Hughes to drift his free-kick straight to Kuszczak.
Beckford collected Neil Kilkenny's short pass and curled another effort towards the home goal that Kuszczak saved comfortably.
Obertan's chipped cross was too near Casper Ankergren after he had been released by Welbeck, then the Frenchman misdirected a cross to the young striker as Berbatov screamed for a cut-back.
Anderson screwed a shot wide as the Premier League champions began to exert their authority.
However, Leeds were still a threat, as they proved after 19 minutes when Welbeck lost possession inside the visitors' half and Jonathan Howson launched a long ball over the top for Beckford to chase.
The striker got half a yard on Brown and, although his first touch appeared too strong, Kuszczak was slow to react and Beckford turned the ball into the United net as the Pole raced out.
On the touchline, Leeds boss Simon Grayson was ecstatic.
However, his joy would have lasted only five minutes if Jason Crowe had not scampered back to clear off the line after Wayne Rooney had sprung the Leeds offside trap and raced forward into the visitors box before sliding a shot underneath Ankergren.
Leeds were performing heroically and Johnson floated a header wide of the far post after Crowe had charged forward on the overlap.
Rooney curled a shot wide at the other end after Obertan had won the hosts a corner.
The England star was trying to spark his team into life and he set up Welbeck for a shot that sailed narrowly wide from an acute angle.
Brown was booked for chopping down Luciano Becchio inside the Leeds half after Obertan had been caught in possession.
Ferguson could not have been impressed with his side's efforts. Gibson's square ball under no pressure summed up the half. The Irishman was way off target as he tried to find Neville.
The veteran defender still managed to reach the ball, only to see it roll out of play as he tried to control.
Brown's thundering challenge on Johnson triggered an angry reaction, with Grayson arguing with Neville at one point.
Leeds had the first attack of the second half as Howson curled over a cross that Kuszczak cut out.
Ferguson had resisted the temptation to make changes at the interval and could have been rewarded with a penalty when Welbeck was seemingly blocked off in the box by Howson, only for referee Chris Foy to wave play on.
There was even more friction now though. Howson and Gibson were picked out for a lecture for a scrap close to the home area that had started when Brown went in on the Leeds man.
Ankergren saved superbly to deny Welbeck, who had raced into the box. He then did even better to block a close-range Berbatov effort.
Gibson was booked for a late tackle on Johnson, and Naylor was also shown a yellow card when he cynically hacked down Rooney.
Brown, who was treading a very fine line, barged into the back of Beckford, although Leeds could make nothing of the free-kick.
Ferguson introduced Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia for Welbeck and Obertan just before the hour mark.
Leeds had been a muted attacking force for quite a while but Johnson let fly with a speculative blast that Kuszczak saved easily.
Fabio Da Silva strode onto a Rooney lay-off and curled a shot narrowly over the top.
Johnson went for goal with a 25-yard free-kick but Kuszczak gathered at the second attempt.
Michael Owen was the next man on, for Anderson, and both he and Berbatov had a chance to finish off Valencia's cut-back before Rooney blazed over.
Ankergren saved low from Rooney, who then fired over when well placed to do much better after Valencia had again created space.
Leeds were not totally reliant on defence, though, and Beckford came agonisingly close to sealing their place in the fourth round 12 minutes from time.
Robert Snodgrass came even closer shortly afterwards when his free-kick shook the angle of bar and post with Kuszczak beaten.
The pace was unrelenting and Owen thought he should have had a penalty when he went down under Hughes' challenge but Foy was unmoved.
Five additional minutes must have shredded a few nerves among the Leeds supporters. But after so many dark days, this was to be one of glory. Rooney wasted the last chance as he drove his shot wide.
Sky 3/1/10
Leeds turn back time
Shock of the round helps Whites remember paradise lost
By Peter Fraser
Leeds delivered a reminder of the glory days of old, and an example of what the future could hold, as they sent old enemies Manchester United tumbling out of the third round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory.
The Yorkshire side's fall from the Premier League and UEFA Champions League graces at the start of the millennium has been as infamous as it was staggering, but Jermaine Beckford struck at Old Trafford to show 2010 could be a turning point.
The striker, possibly the epitome of what has been the new era at the League One table-toppers, broke the deadlock in the 19th minute of a first half which had crackled with an atmosphere from the days of Best versus Charlton, never mind the more recent past.
Perhaps inevitably for a player who has now scored 20 goals this season, the forward collected Jonny Howson's long ball, which Wes Brown had misjudged, to display a composure some argue he lacks and roll past the onrushing Tomasz Kuszczak.
Old Trafford rocked to the celebrations of 9,000 travelling fans from across The Pennines, but United nearly responded immediately through their own talismanic striker as a Wayne Rooney poke at goal was blocked on the goalline by Jason Crowe.
Leeds went in at half-time one goal in front to set up a simmering second passage as tackles clattered and the game comfortably delivered the most engrossing action of what had been a drab third round bereft of the famous cup shocks.
Substitute Michael Owen and Rooney both missed glorious chances for Premier League champions United, but Beckford was also wasteful at the other end and Leeds replacement Robert Snodgrass hit the woodwork with a free-kick as the visitors finished strongly to record a storybook win.
Sir Alex Ferguson had turned to his youth brigade as despite stating he would be using his fringe players in Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final with Manchester City, he still named Gabriel Obertan, Fabio Da Silva, Danny Welbeck and Darron Gibson.
Simon Grayson's Leeds were well backed but the odds were against the League One champions-elect registering the club's first Old Trafford victory since 1981 in the first meeting between the two sides in almost six years.
The hosts suffered an early blow when Nemanja Vidic was injured in the warm-up, so Brown stepped up from the substitutes' bench to partner the returning Jonny Evans in central defence.
Spirited start
Leeds made a spirited start and Bradley Johnson had an opportunity to pick out the in-form Beckford but squandered it. However, he did manage to force Gary Neville into conceding a corner that Kuszczak had to punch away under pressure.
Beckford, who could leave in the transfer window, hooked a volley over, then Anderson fouled Johnson, only for Andy Hughes to drift his free-kick straight to Kuszczak.
Beckford collected Neil Kilkenny's short pass and curled another effort towards the home goal that Kuszczak saved comfortably.
Obertan's chipped cross was too near Casper Ankergren after he had been released by Welbeck, then the Frenchman misdirected a cross to the young striker as Berbatov screamed for a cut-back.
Anderson screwed a shot wide as the Premier League champions began to exert their authority.
However, Leeds were still a threat, as they proved after 19 minutes when Welbeck lost possession inside the visitors' half and Howson launched a long ball over the top for Beckford to chase.
The striker got half a yard on Brown and, although his first touch appeared too strong, Kuszczak was slow to react and Beckford turned the ball into the United net, almost in slow motion as far as the disbelieving Leeds fans will have been concerned, as the Pole raced out.
However, his joy would have lasted only five minutes if Crowe had not scampered back to clear off the line after Rooney had sprung the Leeds offside trap and raced forward before toe-poking a shot underneath Ankergren.
Leeds were performing heroically and Johnson floated a header wide of the far post after Crowe had charged forward on the overlap.
Rooney curled a shot wide at the other end after Obertan had won the hosts a corner.
The England star was trying to spark his team into life, and he set up Welbeck
for a shot that sailed narrowly wide from an acute angle, but he was the only real threat to Leeds as Dimitar Berbatov delivered another of his frustrating displays.
Brown was booked for chopping down Luciano Becchio inside the Leeds half after Obertan had been caught in possession.
Ferguson could not have been impressed with his side's efforts. Gibson's square ball under no pressure summed up the half. The Irishman was way off target as he tried to find Neville.
The veteran defender still managed to reach the ball, only to see it roll out of play as he tried to control.
Thundering challenge
Brown's thundering challenge, one from the days of old, on Johnson triggered an angry reaction, with Leeds boss Grayson arguing with Neville at one point.
Leeds had the first attack of the second half as Howson curled over a cross that Kuszczak cut out.
Ferguson had resisted the temptation to make changes at the interval and could have been rewarded with a penalty when Welbeck was seemingly blocked off in the box by Howson, only for referee Chris Foy to wave play on.
There was even more friction now though. Howson and Gibson were picked out for a lecture after a scrap close to the home area that had started when Brown went in on the Leeds man.
Ankergren saved superbly to deny Welbeck, who had raced into the box. He then did even better to block a close-range Berbatov effort.
Gibson was booked for a late tackle on Johnson, and Naylor was also shown a yellow card when he cynically hacked down Rooney.
Brown, who was treading a very fine line, barged into the back of Beckford, although Leeds could make nothing of the free-kick.
Ferguson introduced Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia for Welbeck and Obertan just before the hour mark.
Leeds had been a muted attacking force for quite a while but Johnson let fly with a speculative blast that Kuszczak saved easily.
Fabio Da Silva strode onto a Rooney lay-off and curled a shot narrowly over the top.
Johnson went for goal with a 25-yard free-kick but Kuszczak gathered at the second attempt.
Owen and Rooney had their chances, but Leeds remained a threat as United were susceptible to the long ball and Beckford screwed wide on the break before Snodgrass curled against the joint of post and crossbar from a free-kick.
United knew it was not to be their day in injury time as Owen was denied by Ankergren in a goalmouth scramble to leave 'marching on together' reverberating around Old Trafford.
Telegraph 3/1/10
Manchester United 0 Leeds United 1: match report
By Mark Ogden at Old Trafford
Jermaine Beckford consigned Manchester United to FA Cup humiliation by sending League One Leeds United into the fourth round with a first-half winner that signalled the Yorkshire club’s first victory at Old Trafford since 1981.
Beckford, who is expected to leave Leeds for Newcastle United this month, scored on 19 minutes to become the first Leeds player since Brian Flynn to score a winner at Old Trafford.
The defeat for United also ensured that Sir Alex Ferguson experienced a third round exit for the first time. It was United’s first defeat to lower league opposition in the FA Cup since a 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth in 1984.
United manager Ferguson had vowed to field a strong team against the Elland Road outfit, but the Scot performed a selection about-turn by naming youngsters Darron Gibson, Gabriel Obertan and Fabio da Silva in his starting line-up.
Having seen a half-strength team defeat Spurs in the Carling Cup quarter-final last month, however, Ferguson would have expected his players to repeat that performance against an opponent from the third tier.
But the Premier League champions were outfought by Leeds from the kick-off and the sheer intensity of the fixture appeared to catch many of United’s players by surprise.
Ferguson had spoken of the bitter rivalry between the two clubs in the build-up to the game and how his players could expect a raucous atmosphere with Leeds backed by 9,000 travelling fans.
The message apparently didn’t sink in, though, and Grayson’s team were the first to every ball in a ferociously fought encounter.
So United could have no complaints when Beckford put Leeds ahead on 19 minutes with what could be his last goal for the club.
Jonny Howson’s stunning 40 yard pass found Beckford 25 yards from goal and the forward escaped Wes Brown before guiding a left foot shot into the far corner past goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.
United attempted to respond, but Leeds matched fire with fire, with captain Richard Naylor joining Brown in referee Chris Foy’s notebook.
Wayne Rooney was denied an equaliser on 25 minutes, though, when full-back Jason Crowe cleared his goalbound effort off the line.
Other than that near miss, however, United struggled to test Leeds goalkeeper Casper Ankergren and it was the visitors that looked likelier to add to the scoring.
The game threatened to boil over 48 minutes when Brown’s late tackle on Michael Doyle prompted both sets of players to confront each other on the edge of the United penalty area.
Once the game settled down, Leeds continued to take the game to United and Beckford should have made it 2-0 on 78 minutes when he sprung the offside trap before shooting wide of the far post.
And substitute Robert Snodgrass rattled the United crossbar with a 20-yard free-kick on 80 minutes.
Despite finishing the game with Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen on the pitch, though, United just could not find the goal to save the tie and avoid humiliation.
Leedsunited.com 3/1/10
BECKS GOAL SLAYS MAN UNITED
MAN UTD 0, LEEDS UNITED 1 (Beckford 19)
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson recalled Bradley Johnson and Jonny Howson to his
starting line-up for the trip to Manchester United in place of the suspended Leigh Bromby and the injured Robert Snodgrass.Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson paid Leeds the ultimate compliment by naming a strong starting line-up that included Wayne Rooney among others, although he was dealt a last-minute blow when Nemanja Vidic picked up an injury during the pre-match warm-up. Wes Brown was the late replacement.
Unsurprisingly, the game attracted a full-house with a spiky atmosphere, and with almost 9,000 Leeds fans present. It was a moment both sets of fans had waited for since Leeds' relegation from the Premiership six years ago, and the atmosphere didn't disappoint.
The home side did have one early shot - Darron Gibson firing wide - but Leeds also started with confidence and Tomasz Kuszczak had to be alert to punch clear a Bradley Johnson corner. Jermaine Beckford also turned a Jonny Howson cross over the top.
At the other end, a teasing cross from Danny Welbeck drifted across the face of goal, and Gabriel Obertan also looked to find Welbeck with a pull-back, but the England man couldn't connect.
But on 20 minutes Leeds were in dreamland. Howson played a long ball forward and Beckford stripped Brown for pace before slipping the ball beyond Kuszczak to give Leeds the lead. The goal sparked jubilant scenes among both the players and the vast travelling support.
Moments later, Luciano Becchio headed over a Neil Kilkenny cross as United threatened again.
And when Man United came forward on 25 minutes, Dimitar Berbatov releasing Rooney, Jason Crowe made a goal-line clearance to keep the score at 1-0 when an equaliser looked certain.
But Leeds were showing no fear, Johnson heading a Crowe cross wide of the mark after another good attack from Grayson's men. On 35 minutes, Brown went in the book for Man U after a foul on Becchio as the striker looked to set United on another break.
As the game headed towards half-time, there was a short stoppage as Johnson received treatment, following a challenge by Brown.
The home side started the second half on the front foot and they had appeals for a penalty waved away when Howson clashed with Welbeck. As the ball was returned forward, there was a more serious clash involving Howson, Brown, and Gibson after an over-zealous challenge on Micky Doyle saw tempers flare.
Moments later, Gibson was booked for a challenge on Johnson while Richard Naylor saw yellow for a foul on Rooney. In between, the challenges, Casper Ankergren reacted well to deny both Welbeck and Berbatov.
The double arrival of Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia was designed to give the home side more of a cutting edge, but as the game edged past the hour-mark, Leeds were looking dogged and resilient.
When Leeds threatened again, Johnson curled a free-kick into the arms of Kuszczak. With 21 minutes to go, Ferguson made his final change, Michael Owen coming on as the home side looked to force an equaliser. But, when the chance presented itself to a combination of Owen and Berbatov, Paddy Kisnorbo cleared as far as Rooney who blasted high over the bar.
Rooney also fired over, following a Valenica cross, on 77 minutes.
And moments later, United had a chance to wrap the game up when Beckford seized upon a Doyle pass and his finish shaved the wrong side of the upright. Next, Robert Snodgrass rattled the woodwork with a free-kick which left Kuszczak with no chance.
It was a real credit to Leeds that as the game headed towards its final stages, the home side were unable to offer too much in the way of an attacking threat, and the near 9,000 travelling fans were roaring their heroes towards what would be a famous victory.
The 9,000 even chimed with chants of "Fergie Time" when five minutes were added on at the end of the 90. There was a moment of panic in the fourth minute, United scrambled the ball clear after Ankergren made a superb save, and when it was returned Rooney fired wide following a last-gasp corner.
And that proved to be the last meaningful action as Leeds recorded a first win for 29 years at Old Trafford, and the celebrations started.
