Where did it go wrong for Jesse Marsch, asks BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope.

"The squad was arguably stronger this season. But as the games passed the narrow style Marsch was trying to implement failed to produce consistent performances, attractive football or results," he says.

"Three points from 18 have left United in a relegation battle, which Marsch said they were not involved in after what he called a complete performance in the 2-1 loss at Aston Villa three weeks ago.

"Fans saw and thought differently. After almost a year in charge it seemed beyond him to coach the squad to its potential."

Who could be the next Leeds manager?

Read our piece asking that precise question here.

Carlos Corberan, who was one of the favourites, has signed a new deal with West Brom since first published

Leeds defender Pascal Struijk says their new players will not fully understand the size of this fixture until they walk out onto the pitch.

The Whites face their rivals twice in the Premier League this week - first at Old Trafford tonight and then at Elland Road on Sunday.

"It has been building up every time since I have been here," said the 23-year-old, who joined Leeds in 2018.

"Leading up to the game everyone is getting excited and we are all so motivated to play these games.

"Most of the boys have played in a derby before, but I don’t think they'll realise how big it is until they step on to the pitch for the first time.

"We have to lift the new guys, but I'm sure they will get the motivation right.

"I was surprised it was two back-to-back games, but we have two big chances now to get a result. We have seen before we can play against the top teams, so why not this time?"

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka misses out this evening through illness.

Jadon Sancho is regarded as not being fit enough to start after overcoming his own illness issues.

Image source, .

I had a degree of sympathy for Jesse Marsch, who was sacked by Leeds at the start of this week. I saw a fair bit of his side this season and probably their biggest problem was that their performances were patchy - they rarely played well for the full 90 minutes of games.

It was the same against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, when they were strong in the first half but fell away after that.

They seemed to concede some soft goals, and then fail to take a lot of chances, but they do have some talented players.

I am surprised that they haven't made an appointment already, but their Under-21s head coach Michael Skubala will be in charge at Old Trafford, which can't be seen as a free hit because of where Leeds are in the table.

Manchester United have got a problem in midfield, with Casemiro suspended and Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay injured.

But they are on a really good run of form, with just one defeat - against leaders Arsenal - in their past 15 games.

Erik ten Hag's team seem able to just do enough to win matches, even when they don't play well.

With Leeds managerless, they might play with a bit more freedom and this game might be closer than people might think, but I do think Manchester United will win it.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Leeds could climb as high as 14th tonight with a big win...

But a 5-0 defeat would see them drop into the relegation zone.

Manchester United would have to win 24-0 to move up a place in the table so let's presume they'll stay third tonight.

Image source, Getty Images

After humbling defeats in front of their own fans in previous seasons, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says re-establishing a home fortress was crucial to his project.

United have won 13 games in a row in all competitions at Old Trafford, with Marcus Rashford scoring 10 goals in that time.

"It was one of our aims this season to get that back," he said. "It's great to have that connection with Old Trafford and I'm really happy with what we have shown.

"But that's only part of the process."

United are third in the home table this season but four defeats and two draws on the road mean they are sixth for away form and Ten Hag wants that to change.

"In away games, we can be more convincing," Ten Hag said. "The next step is to have the same team and personality on the pitch as we do at home.

"We have to be aware that when we are away, we also have lots of fans. We can grow and still have steps to make but I am happy with that as well because it's a good challenge."

FA Cup

There is another game tonight and it's a BBC TV match.

Sunderland play Fulham in the FA Cup fourth round replay - click here for TV, radio and text.

Leeds United are winless in seven Premier League games and have won two of their last 17 - all under Jesse Marsch.

They have only scored four goals since the World Cup.

Leeds' tally of five away points this season is a joint-league low with Bournemouth.

Image source, .

Bruno Fernandes has scored six goals and assisted two more in league games against Leeds.

He is one short of 100 career league goals.

The Portuguese has scored or assisted in all five of Manchester United's Premier League matches in 2023, scoring three times and setting up a further two.

Marcus Rashford has scored 11 goals in 13 games since returning from the World Cup, more than any other Premier League player.

Rashford has netted in each of Manchester United's last five Premier League home fixtures, three short of the club record set by Wayne Rooney from December 2009 to March 2010.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

It will be interesting to see if Leeds' sporting director Victor Orta is at Old Trafford tonight.

Normally a visual presence amongst the visiting dignitaries, Orta flew out to Madrid yesterday for talks with Rayo Vallecano coach Andoni Iraola.

If Orta is here, it will be seen as a signal that - one way or another - negotiations with Iraola have reached a conclusion.

Leeds play Manchester United again on Sunday. After that, it is Everton and Southampton.

The Elland Road club hope to have a permanent successor to Jesse Marsch in place for the build-up to the Everton game.

Manchester United have earned a record 16 points since the Premier League resumed after the World Cup.

They are on a run of 13 consecutive home victories in all competition, their longest streak since 20 straight victories from December 2010 to September 2011 under Alex Ferguson.

United have kept eight top-flight clean sheets in 2022-23, equalling their final total last season.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

Leeds coach Chris Armas will find himself in familiar surroundings tonight.

Armas was on Ralf Rangnick's coaching team when the German was brought in as interim replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, when Manchester United sacked the Norwegian in November 2021.

Weirdly, one of the first things Erik ten Hag did when he took over as Solskjaer's permanent successor last summer was to switch benches, so the home one is nearer the tunnel.

That means Armas will sit in the same dug-out even though he will be coaching a different team.

Leeds lost 1-0 to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest on Sunday in Jesse Marsch's final game.

Watch what Match of the Day 2 pundits Leon Osman and Nedum Onuoha had to say.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

Manchester United striker Anthony Martial will be missing again through injury this evening.

It has been a frustrating season for the French forward.

He missed the start of the campaign after suffering a hamstring problem in pre-season. He was then ruled out for six weeks after injuring his Achilles on his comeback against Liverpool.

Martial was injured in the Manchester derby last month and now is out again after suffering the latest problem in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest last week.

"He has never been 100% this season but he had a big impact every time he is available, even when he is 80, 85, 90 percent," said manager Erik ten Hag.

"We do everything and he has done everything. I think Anthony is the player who has spent the most hours at Carrington this season, to recover, to come back. It is such a pity for him that he isn't always available."

Marcel Sabitzer makes his first start for Manchester United as they make three changes from the side who beat Crystal Palace.

Sabitzer replaces the suspended Casemiro, Alejandro Garnacho is in for the injured Antony and Diogo Dalot takes the place of Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Man Utd: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Sabitzer, Fred, Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Weghorst. Subs: Heaton, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia, Sancho, Pellistri, Elanga, Iqbal, Mainoo.

Image source, .

Leeds caretaker Michael Skubala makes two changes from Jesse Marsch's last line-up.

Robin Koch, back from suspension, replaces Liam Cooper and Weston McKennie is in for Marc Roca, his first start for Leeds.

Leeds: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Wober, Struijk, Adams, McKennie, Sinisterra, Harrison, Gnonto, Bamford. Subs: Robles, Firpo, Aaronson, Summerville, Gyabi, Rutter, Kristensen, Greenwood, Joseph.

Image source, .