Daniel Farke believes Leeds United's FA Cup run will not serve as a distraction from their Premier League relegation fight but instead provide confidence ahead of facing Manchester United.
Leeds are winless in their last six league games (D4 L2), failing to score in each of the last four, and they now sit just three points above 18th-placed Tottenham in the table.
But away from the Premier League, Leeds have things to celebrate, having ended their 39-year wait to reach the FA Cup semi-finals, having beaten West Ham on penalties last weekend.
They will face Chelsea at Wembley later this month for a chance to play for the trophy, and Farke is adamant that his players' focus will not stray to that with important league games to play.
"We take lots of confidence from it," Farke said. "I can guarantee no one is distracted right now about the FA Cup semi-finals. I will make sure after this press conference, no one speaks about it.
"There is no excuse for not being focused on the next three games.
"It's definitely a positive. You just have to look in the eyes of the people for how much it means to them.
"It's a different competition. It doesn't help us in terms of points for the Premier League, but there's no replacement for wins and this winning feeling."
Focus switches back to the league! pic.twitter.com/lfevH47Uh4
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 9, 2026
At the other end of the table, United are bidding to secure a place in the Champions League, and currently sit third in the table, above Aston Villa on goal difference.
Interim head coach Michael Carrick has won all six of his Premier League games at Old Trafford as United boss (one in 2021, five in 2026).
As a player, Carrick rarely got to experience the clubs' rivalry on the pitch, but he is expecting a tough test for his side, who have not been in action since March 20.
"I think they are a really good team. I think Daniel [Farke] has adapted from when they were in the Championship, and I was at Middlesbrough," Carrick said.
"They are a really dangerous team who have evolved in certain things, adapted in certain things. But I think they have had a really good season, and they don't give a lot away, especially recently.
"They have defended really well, and it will be a tough game, a really tough game."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has been involved in eight goals in just six Premier League appearances against Leeds (six goals, two assists), more than any other United player has against the Whites in the competition.
He has also created 101 chances in the Premier League this season, the third time he has created 100+ in a campaign in the competition, after 2022-23 (119) and 2023-24 (114).
Leeds United – Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has made 282 off-ball runs in behind in the Premier League, with this accounting for 54% of his total off-ball runs (523).
He is Leeds' top scorer with 10 league goals this term but has failed to score in any of his last five appearances, despite racking up 2.3 expected goals (xG) and having 12 shots in that run.