Leeds vs Manchester United: five players to have starred for both sides in the Premier League

Manchester United travel to Elland Road on Sunday afternoon to take on Leeds United in the Premier League, with the Red Devils looking to secure their second win in as many games.

The 2pm kick-off will be their 28th meeting in the competition, with United winning 15 so far, while the Whites have four victories and honours have been even eight times.

Leeds are in their second spell in the Premier League after their promotion as champions from the Championship during the 2019-20 season.

Their first stint came in the inaugural campaign of the competition, one that saw them lose 2-0 to the Red Devils away from home, but draw 0-0 drubbing at Elland Road later that season.

With that being said, we take a look at the five players who have played for both United and the Whites in the Premier League.

Eric Cantona

Eric Cantona was the first man to represent both the Red Devils and Leeds in the Premier League era when he moved from Elland Road to Old Trafford in November 1992.

The Frenchman only spent 10 months with the Whites before making the switch to United, a controversial move given the rivalry between both clubs.

Cantona became somewhat of a cult-hero at United, scoring iconic goals and winning nine trophies.

Lee Sharpe

After a promising campaign with Torquay United, Lee Sharpe joined the Red Devils in 1988 for £200,000.

He was a rotational player during his eight years with them, featuring 116 times in the Premier League for the club.

Sharpe left United for Leeds in 1996 for £4.5m, a then joint-record signing by the Yorkshire side. His tenure at the Whites was plagued by injury, especially in his second season, leading to him only making 30 top-flight appearances.

Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand joined Leeds from West Ham for £18m in 2000 a then British transfer record, while also becoming the world’s most expensive defender.

His tenure in Yorkshire lasted two campaigns, where he helped them reach the semi-final of the Champions League in his first year, before captaining the side the following season.

The centre-back then broke the record for the most expensive British footballer in 2002 when he joined the Red Devils for an initial £29.3m.

Ferdinand spent 12 years at Old Trafford, establishing himself as a club and England legend. During this time he won 14 major honours and is currently United’s 20th all-time appearance holder with 455 games under his belt.

Alan Smith

Another player who caused much controversy when moving from the Whites to the Red Devils is Alan Smith. The former England international left his hometown club for United following Leeds’ relegation from the Premier League in 2004.

He came through the Whites academy, making his senior debut at the age of 18 against Liverpool and soon establishing himself as a key player for the side.

The forward-turned-midfielder switched Leeds for Manchester but was plagued with injury during his time with in the latter city.

Despite his time on the side-lines Smith was part of the United team who lifted the Premier League titles in 2007.

Daniel James

The most recent player to move between both clubs is Daniel James having left the Red Devils for the Whites in August 2021.

He made his 50th and last top-flight appearance for United against Wolverhampton Wanderers before the switch to Leeds this summer.

James, who is an established Wales international, has since been a key figure for the Whites, featuring in 19 out of a possible 21 league fixtures.