Ethan Ampadu’s 100th game as captain offers chance to end 24-year wait

Ethan Ampadu will reach a remarkable landmark when he leads Leeds United out against Manchester United on Sunday. The match offers the club the chance to end a 24-year wait for a home win over their arch rivals. As Leeds Live reports, the fixture will be the captain’s 100th game with the armband. At 26, he is the youngest Leeds player to reach that figure since Billy Bremner in 1968. Bremner was 25 when he managed the feat.

Ethan Ampadu and the 24-year wait

The symbolism is rich. Leeds have not beaten United at Elland Road since September 2002. Harry Kewell scored the winner that day against a side in their pomp. Jean-Matteo Bahoya had not even been born. Only seven home meetings between the clubs have taken place since, one of them in the League Cup. Leeds have still produced famous away days in that time, including the 2011 FA Cup triumph and April’s 2-1 league win at Old Trafford. Victory on Sunday would give Ethan Ampadu back-to-back wins over United for the first time since 1972.

Ethan Ampadu leads Leeds out against United for the first time

Ethan Ampadu missed January’s home draw through suspension, so this will be his first taste of the fixture as skipper. Daniel Farke named him captain in the summer of his arrival. The Welshman has become the embodiment of what supporters want in their leader. Leeds Live also notes his new long-term contract set the foundations for the transfer window that followed.

Carrick’s miserable record against Farke

The visitors arrive amid turmoil, without a win in four, as our match preview detailed, and with Michael Carrick under mounting pressure. Ominously for the United boss, he has lost five of his six meetings with Farke. His sole victory came in a League Cup tie during his time at Middlesbrough. Many feel this is Leeds’ best chance in a long while to put that 24-year wait to bed. Ethan Ampadu reaching three figures on such an occasion only adds to the sense of occasion.