Manchester United go into Sunday's game at Elland Road under pressure once again. Michael Carrick is under pressure, the players are under pressure, and perhaps no one more so than Jason Wilcox, the club's director of football.
Wilcox was the target of Lisandro Martinez's post-match outburst following the defeat to Atletico Madrid in midweek, with the Argentine singling him out for not doing enough to prepare for the club's return to the Champions League. Martinez issued an apology on Thursday after internal talks, and Wilcox still has the backing of his bosses at Old Trafford. But he must be starting to think there is something in the Yorkshire water, as he was also at the centre of controversy the last time Manchester United visited Leeds.
That earlier fixture at the start of the year ended 1-1, with Matheus Cunha cancelling out Brenden Aaronson's opener. The big talking point, however, came during the post-match press conference. Ruben Amorim, in the away dugout that day, defended his position in sensational fashion: "I came here to be the manager of Manchester United. Not to be the coach. That is clear."
Two days later, Amorim was sacked, followed by details of an explosive meeting with Wilcox that appeared to mark the beginning of the end. Sky Sports News understands Amorim's emotional and inconsistent behaviour was a key factor, along with his refusal to adapt his preferred 3-4-3 system, which led to a breakdown in confidence.
Results under the Portuguese coach had not been convincing across his 14-month tenure. Carrick later stepped in and secured Champions League football during his interim spell.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing