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    David de Gea hopes Leeds rivalry can reinvigorate Man United’s top four bid

    Planet Sport writerStaff Writer16 February 2022
    Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday February 12, 2022.

    Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday February 12, 2022.

    Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is determined to mark his first Elland Road appearance with a win as his side continue to chase Champions League football.

    The 31-year-old has been one of the few standout performers at Old Trafford this season and he underlined his form with another solid display against Brighton. 

    United recovered from a shaky first-half display to beat the Seagulls 2-0 on Tuesday, moving them up to fourth in the Premier League ahead of this weekend's eagerly anticipated trip to Leeds.

    The long-serving Spain international has faced Marcelo Bielsa's men twice at Old Trafford but has never played at Elland Road, having been an unused substitute in the Red Devils' only two trips there since he joined the club.

    He said: "I know it's a massive rivalry between the teams. It's going to be a tough game, especially away against Leeds: good team, difficult team, different team.
    "But we have to win this game as well to be in the top four and hopefully we can go there and win."

    Such is the importance of the fixture that De Gea is not even thinking about next week's reunion with former club Atletico in the Champions League.

    He added: "My mind at the moment is just about Leeds. Prepare well for the game, be ready for the game and this is the most important things - not just for me for but the team to be ready for Leeds."
    United need to string together a run of victories if they are to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next term.
    West Ham may have supplanted United in fourth by the time Sunday's fixture comes around and the rest of the chasing pack - Arsenal, Wolves and Tottenham - have multiple games in hand on them.

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