'A life of its own' - Marcelo Bielsa on Leeds United's opener at Manchester United as Whites boss hails fans' return - YEP 13/8/21
Marcelo Bielsa says there is no added significance to Leeds United facing their arch rivals Manchester United on the opening weekend of the season.
By Lee Sobot
That, says Bielsa, is because the fixture between the two
sides has a "life of its own" whenever it is staged.
Leeds will step out at Old Trafford for their first game of
the new Premier League season in a Saturday lunchtime kick-off between the Red
Devils and Whites.
The two clubs have been bitter rivals for decades but faced
each other for the first time in the country's top flight for 16 years last
term following Leeds' promotion to the country's top flight.
The Whites were blitzed 6-2 by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side
in December's clash at Old Trafford but then held the Red Devils to a goalless
draw in the April rematch at Elland Road.
The two sides will now lock horns in what will be just the
second game of the whole Premier League season after tonight's clash between
Brentford and Arsenal - but Bielsa says it does matter when Manchester United
against Leeds is played.
"I don't consider it significant," said Bielsa.
"A game like the one on the weekend is independent, it
doesn't matter when it's played.
"It has a life of its own at any time."
Saturday's fixture will also mark the full return of fans
for the first time since last March after nearly 18 months of restrictions in
the country's fight against coronavirus.
Bielsa says he is relishing the prospect of stands being
back at their capacity ahead of a clash that will be watched by around 75,000
fans inside Old Trafford including an away contingent of 3,000 from Leeds.
"I'm very happy," said the Whites head coach.
"Without the public, who's the main destination, it's
not the same.
"It's the public, those who assist the game, they are a
special category because they generate a link between what's happened.
"It's not the same, the spectators who like what they
see on the pitch and those fans who suffer for the result.
"That segment of the public, in football is
irreplaceable - you can find people anywhere in the world who want to see a
Premier League game.
"But there isn't five million people who suffer when
Leeds lose or get excited beyond belief.
"The heart of football is the genuine fans of Leeds
United and the spectators of the world is what sustains the business.
"But those who suffer or get excited beyond belief for
the results, is what football is."
Asked to assess what would be a successful campaign for
Leeds on the back of last season's ninth-placed finish, Bielsa said:
"Normally I answer these questions in the same way.
"My position is not to refer myself to things that
haven't happened because I don't want to run the risk that the reality doesn't
coincide with what I've (said) especially in a sport like football which is
very unexpected."
Assessing the challenge presented by a trip to Manchester
United and if he expected the Red Devils to be challenging for the title this
season, Bielsa reasoned :"I can't refer myself to the reality of teams
that aren't mine.
"Every game in the Premier League is complicated."