Rooting for Leeds

They’re not really rivals as far as I’m concerned anymore. Rivals are a result of locality (e.g. City), competition (Liverpool), or current circumstance (Leeds a long time ago) - my generation never grew up with the same hatred of them because they’ve been irrelevant all our lives.

I do think Bielsa is massively overhyped though - it seems to have just become the hip thing to do to pretend he’s something he’s not.

so a rival is only someone local or competition at the top??

Jesus, how plastic has the man united fan base become
 
so a rival is only someone local or competition at the top??

Jesus, how plastic has the man united fan base become

I didn’t mean any offence - if anything I’d have thought you’d be happy that we don’t hate you and personally, I actually think you’re a cracking little club.
 
so a rival is only someone local or competition at the top??

Jesus, how plastic has the man united fan base become

I'm in my mid 30's so I hate your **** guts.

However I can see why a younger United fan might look at you they same way they do Norwich City. You've been away for so long that you're not really that relevant anymore.
 
I didn’t mean any offence - if anything I’d have thought you’d be happy that we don’t hate you and personally, I actually think you’re a cracking little club.
You didn’t mean any offence - proceeds to call Leeds a little club. They’re not by any stretch of the imagination.
 
Lived in leeds for 3 years. Lovely folk. But as soon as it comes to leeds utd, the cnuts come out of the woodwork
 
In rivalries, there does seem more hatred from the 'smaller club / country' to the 'bigger' ones.

Look at how Scotland, Wales and Ireland hate England much more, on average, than the other way around (I hear plenty of English people wanting the 'home nations' to win - which I really don't get considering their hatred for us and desire for us to lose). And it seems to be the same with, say, Canada v US, NZ v Australia, etc. And I'm sure it's similar with Espanyol v Barcelona, Real v Atletico, 1860 Munich v Bayern, Torino v Juventus, etc.

As regards United, our rival that's most consistently on a level par has been Liverpool so that's become our main rivalry from our perspective. Man City is next, because of geography as well as being one of our main on field rivals.

Rivalries like Leeds and Bolton I'd say are more generated from those clubs than us - as we already have two 'bigger' ones. But such is the level of hatred from them that I certainly hate them back in return and like to see them lose and struggle, and love to beat them.

But as an actual rivalry, I'd say we're their #1 rivals but they're only our #3 or 4 rivals behind Liverpool and City - so the venom should be more from their side and ours is more reactionary to it.
 
I’ve noticed that I have absolutely no problem wanting Leeds to win this season. They can take point off our rivals (in theory, pity they’re so shit against good teams) and they’re good to watch. Plus consistently miles below us in the table and rolled over pathetically when we played them. So rooting for them comes easy to me.

This is partly because I was very young the last time Leeds were serious rivals in the same leagues as us. Mainly because I’m not from Manchester. However, I am aware that this would be a mortal sin for a hell of a lot of our match-going fans (100% of our away fans?)

Is anyone else feeling a bit weird/guilty about how easy it is to root for Leeds this season?

Welcome to the club. We’re all siblings. Henry VII ended The War of The Roses in 1485 by introducing this badge:

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To learn about the rivalry, try what I did. Go into a bunch of bars in Leeds with a United jersey asking barkeeps to put the United game on. You'll also get bodily fluids and cuddles on your way out.

I wonder if you could do that in most towns across the country without getting aggro.
 
Probably not. My friend's WiFi being down was a blessing in disguise considering the cultural findings. Kept screaming fecking yank at me, nowadays I'd have joined in.

What a silver lining eh :D I don't think I'd have been tempted to do the same. I have experienced their atmosphere, but not wearing a United shirt. I do separate the man from the club though, Bielsa is fantastic.
 
I am of that generation when Leeds thought they were cock of the North so to speak. Been at Old Trafford when they ripped up seats and caused some serious damage, then proceeded through the city to Victoria station causing terror and damage as they went. Make no mistake given the opportunity the present day fans would act the same.
 
Anyone who rooted for Leeds this season looks even stupider than they already did after that match.

11 men behind the ball all game and constant fouls. Was like playing Stoke
 
feck Leeds. I hope the city collapses into the earth.

Being hyperbolic (of course) because I'm a Man Utd fan from West Yorkshire.
 
Anyone who rooted for Leeds this season looks even stupider than they already did after that match.

11 men behind the ball all game and constant fouls. Was like playing Stoke
Well. It’s us forcing them unable to play their usual way. It’s pity that we were not able to find a breakthrough either.
 
To be fair they deserve more praise today than they do for losing 6-2, that was ridiculous.

The football media praised them like they'd won the game, so today they should wax lyrical about them not losing or conceding.
 
Today is one of the few acceptable times.
 
Hopefully the match gets called off due to crowd trouble and both teams are deducted points.
 
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Today, Leeds are my friends.
 
As my nickname gives away, I have little to do with proper English football culture and my feelings towards Leeds are not near the same, compared to some of you guys here.

I wouldn't say I am rooding for them by any means, but I have to admit that the style of football they're playing is very appealing to the morrle or less neutral eye. Much rather have them in the Prem rather the likes of any of Tony Pulis' or Allardyce's teams.
 
so a rival is only someone local or competition at the top??

Jesus, how plastic has the man united fan base become
I think rivalry is only strong when there is a competitive edge. Yes there’s always the extra desire to beat each other when Utd and Leeds meet but when it’s ending in routine victories a lot of the edge is taken off.
 
You’re no United fan if you root for Leeds. As I’ve said before, I work with them and they’re detestable when it comes to football. Grow a pair OP.
 
They are an odious shower and, rather unbelievably, even more bitter and hateful than the Scousers. Imagine that!

In saying that, I still won’t be shouting against them today… :D
 
Dirty Leeds, I remember the 1970s. No-one cared about City because they were a nothing club, it was just rivalry with the Scousers and Leeds.
 
I work with a Leeds supporter so it's difficult to completely hate them when we have chats about football. He's a decent bloke and makes for some intelligent debate in between his bouts of hysterical screaming and when he isn't devouring stray cats for his lunch.