:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64748927/1162551859.jpg.0.jpg)
Leeds United took on Manchester Untied in Perth, Australia today in a friendly match. It was billed as the “Battle of England” in the local press, but this match was all about letting the fans Down Under see Leeds in person and show some love to the fans who made the trip.
FULL TIME: The referee brings the pre-season friendly to a close in Perth, and Manchester United win 4-0
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 17, 2019
The actual game results don’t matter, as Manchester United are a top six Premier League side with squad market value of around £700 million and Leeds just sold their top defender from last season, Sweden international Pontus Jansson, to Brentford for a bag of crisps and a pint of lager. Paul Pogba by himself cost Manchester United more than twice the £45 million Andrea Radrizzani spent to buy Leeds.
Leeds also traveled with half the squad and left a number of key players, such as Poland international Matuesz Klich and new signing Helder Costa, at home and played Gaetano Berardi at central defender. But it was never about the results.
The Leeds fans are making the most of the trip anyway, security aren’t quite sure what to make of it all. #LUFC pic.twitter.com/1zCU4knwa8
— Neil Sherwin (@neilsherwin) July 17, 2019
Not the result they were after but the support from @LUFC fans in Perth tonight was LEGENDARY! Can’t wait to see that energy on Saturday. #LeedsInSydney #LUFC #WSWvLUFC
— Bankwest Stadium (@BankwestStadium) July 17, 2019
https://t.co/mbUQq8rgPX pic.twitter.com/yPOti0qzWv
This match was all about the fans in Australia and all about the fans that came out to see the team play, results be damned. A lot of these fans would have been seeing their club in person for the first time in years, if not decades.
Man Utd are beating Leeds United 4-0 in Perth and all you can hear are the mighty Leeds fans #lufc #mufc
— Andy Leatham (@leedswhiterose) July 17, 2019
Leeds fans showed just exactly what good fan support is all about with singing and chanting before, during, and after the match.
So while the results weren’t the greatest, at least Leeds got to play Manchester United again and thank the fans that either are based in Australia or made the long journey to see the Mighty Leeds.