Top 10 players to play for both Manchester United and Leeds

Both the clubs have a very long-standing rivalry

The most heated rivalry of English football as deemed by many, Leeds United and Manchester United have been chasing each other for ages. A derby that dates back to the 15th century, these two clubs have snatched each other’s titles, had innumerable transfers among them and gave us historic moments that will never be forgotten. However, both of these teams have had some unfathomable transfers within them which has kept fans around the globe scratching their heads till date. Finally, let’s have a look at the top 10 players to have played for both Manchester United and Leeds United:

10. Joseph Jordan

Nicknamed “Jaws”, due to the notable missing of his front two teeth, he primarily played as a central striker. A player with immense aerial abilities, he had the ability to hold the ball further up the pitch and lay it off to his team mates due to his immaculate physicality. Having played for AC Milan, Leeds United and Manchester United, he also represented Hellas Verona, Bristol City and Southampton in the latter stages of his career.

An uncompromising, old fashioned centre forward who was never afraid to put his head where it hurts for club and country, he also scored 11 times for Scotland out of 52 appearances in the International level. He helped Leeds win the English League title in 1974 and scored 35 times out of 170 appearances for them. As a Red Devil, he reached multiple finals but was unable to get his hands on a trophy despite scoring 37 times for them.

9. Gordon McQueen

Another Scottish professional footballer to have played for both these clubs, the 1.9 m defender had all the aspects of a bully in his game. A key figure in Leeds’ run to the English League title in 1974, he was an influential figure alongside Norman Hunter which was their first choice centre-back pairing back then. In a controversial move to arch rivals Manchester United in 1978, he made a remarkable statement "99% of players want to play for Manchester United and the rest are liars.” He won the 1983 FA Cup Final with Manchester United and scored 20 times in 184 appearances for the Red Devils.

8. Lee Sharpe

A winger by trait, he was one of the shining stars of the early Fergie era at Manchester United. 1990/91 PFA Young Player of the Year, he won three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, a League Cup and the 1991 Cup Winner’s Cup with the Red Devils. His career went downhill right after he signed for Leeds United in the summer of 1996, where he suffered innumerable injuries and was also inconsistent on the pitch. Also, he was capped eight times for the English National squad between 1991 and 1993 and made a total of 265 appearances for Manchester United during which he scored 36 goals. Also having played for Exeter City and Portsmouth in the lower division of English football, he helped Bradford City to promotion after 77 years to the Premiership.

7. Daniel James

The most noticeable aspect of James' game is his agility, explosiveness and speed. He is among the fastest players in the Premier League, and moves with the ball at a shuddering speed. After an impressive first season with Swansea City in 2018, he signed for the Red Devils in 2019 and made 26 appearances that season. After having a two year spell at Old Trafford where he scored 6 times in 50 appearances for the Red Devils, he signed for Leeds United for an undisclosed fee after the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United. Also, currently playing for Fulham on loan, he is just aged 25 and has all the potential in the world to become a renowned player.

6. Denis Irwin

Capable of playing on either flank, Irwin was integral as Ferguson's side took the 1990s by storm, culminating in the famous treble of 1999. He was dependable in all situations, and his flexibility to play as an inverted left back allowed for the blooming of a young Gary Neville at right back. He represented the Red Devils for a long stint of 12 years between 1990 and 2002 where he emerged as one of the influential figures in the team. Although he gained recognition at Elland Road in the early stages of his career, he could not lead Leeds United to a trophy. UEFA Champions League winner with Manchester United in 1999, he made 368 appearances for The Red Devils across all competitions in which he scored 22 times.

5. Alan Smith

Smith was noted for his extremely high work-rate and intense competitiveness on the field. He achieved particular notoriety for his tough, hard-tackling playing style, which earned him a poor disciplinary record. A fan favourite among the masses at Elland Road, Smith won the "Supporter's Player of the Year" award two years running between 2003 and 2004 -a first in the club's history. He was recognized because of his tireless efforts to save the Whites from relegation.

But he had no other option than to sign for the Red Devils after Leeds were relegated in 2004. He had a topsy turvy run at Old Trafford after suffering a broken leg and an ankle in a match against Liverpool. Playing as a holding midfielder in the latter stages of his career at Manchester United and Newcastle United, he was not known much for his goal scoring tally. He made a mammoth 172 appearances for Leeds United in which he scored 38 times and 61 appearances for Manchester United in which he scored 12 times.

4. John Giles

Best known for his time in the midfield at Leeds United during 1960-1970, his partnership alongside Billy Bremner is considered to be one of the best midfield duo English football has ever witnessed. He won the FA Cup with Manchester United in 1963 with whom he begun his playing career, where Giles played the defence-splitting pass which started the move towards a winning goal by David Herd. He gradually developed into a hard-tackling midfielder with age and was one of the key figures in the Don Revie era at Elland Road. Football League First Division winner with Leeds in 1969 and 1974, he also grabbed another FA Cup-winning medal with Leeds in 1972. He made 383 appearances for Leeds United in which he scored 88 times.

3. Gordon Strachan

His all-action, energetic style, allied to a silky touch and a tigerish tenacity earned him a move to Manchester United, then Leeds, where he skippered the Elland Road side out of the Second Division all the way to the English title, forming a Scottish partnership with Gary McAllister in the middle of the park.

Considered as the best Scottish player of the 1980’s, he featured at Wembley Stadium in the 1985 FA Cup Final as United ran out 1–0 winners over their Merseyside rivals Everton. Also, H\he captained Leeds to the League title in 1991-92 campaign denying their age old rivals Manchester United another trophy. After his six year spell at Elland Road, he managed to score a hefty 37 goals for The Whites in 197 appearances for them and still remains to this day as one of the legends of the club who took them out of misery and brought back the glory days.

2. Rio Ferdinand

Ferdinand was considered an atypical defensive product of English football due to his more elegant, graceful, and continental rather than physical style of defensive play; in particular, he was singled out for his unique technical ability, skill, balance, and confidence on the ball, despite his height, as well as his physical ability. He had an acute sense of game reading and his passing skill and hard tackling where applauded by fans at Old Trafford during his tenure. Finally, Ferdinand became the world’s most expensive defender when he signed for Leeds from AFC Bournemouth in November 2000. He also led the backline of Leeds to a semi final finish in UEFA Champions League 2001. But he is particularly remembered for his spell at Old Trafford. Where he won six Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League title and also a FIFA Club World Cup during 2002-2014.

1. Eric Cantona

Best known for his key role in reviving the English powerhouse club Manchester United and for his temperamental play, he was a large, physically strong, hard-working, and tenacious player. Cantona combined technical skill and creativity with power and goalscoring ability. He signed for Leeds United in January 1992 leading them to a Division One Title ahead of his future compatriots.

However, Leeds United did not recognize his true potential and let him leave for Manchester United due to financial reasons. A transfer that fans around Elland Road have been cursing for around 30 years now. A key figure in the Fergie era, he won four Premier League titles and two FA Cup titles with the Red Devils. This happens to be the most rumoured transfer between these two clubs till date. As Cantona went on to net 64 times in 142 appearances for The Red Devils. A living legend in itself!