Old Trafford... awaits Leeds United.

Quite frankly we’ll have no problems, as long as Casper Ankergren decides when he should and shouldn’t come out to punch crosses and that Lubomir Michalik actually jumps to head the ball, rather than the ball head him.

It should be interesting to see what kind of ticket allocation Manchester United give.

I’m almost certain that if it were a team of Gillingham or Plymouth Argyle’s magnitude they would be guaranteed in the region of 6,000 to 8,000 tickets. Hopefully the police don’t find some ridiculous reason to lower the number of tickets to a bare 3,000 (the corner section).

Video - Harry Kewell’s header at Elland Road.

Reid... Leeds boss for just 22 games.

FORMER LEEDS UNITED boss Peter Reid recently reflected on his time at Elland Road.

Reid was initially appointed as manager on 21st March 2003 with the task of keeping Leeds United in the Premiership – a task in which he succeeded.

Two remarkable away results, a 6-1 triumph over Charlton at the Valley and a thrilling 3-2 victory over Arsenal at Highbury, helped keep Leeds in the top flight as they eventually finished six points clear of the drop zone.

“We managed to stay up and I think a lot of people forget that we got some great results”, said Reid.

After minor speculation linking the then Celtic boss Martin O’Neill, Reid with the Elland Road hotseat, Reid was then given a one-year rolling contract with the club for upcoming 2003-2004 season. However with the club in financial turmoil, Leeds were forced to sell their best players Reid explains:

“Harry Kewell went and we didn’t get enough money for him. It was a very  difficult time for the football club.”

Not only did Kewell sign for Liverpool for just £5 million, £2 million of that was rumoured to have gone to his agent. Olivier Dacourt’s loan move to Roma was made permanent for £3.5 million and Paul Robinson looked set for a move to Aston Villa to join up with David O’Leary.

Reid also loaned out Danny Mills (Middlesbrough), Stephen McPhail (Nottingham Forest), Matthew Kilgallon (West Ham) and James Milner (Swindon). Replacements were lined up.

“I tried to get Paolo Di Canio off West Ham but he went to Charlton and Patrick Berger off Liverpool but he went to Portsmouth. I panicked a bit and brought about eight players in on loan because there was not substance to the club.”

Di Canio... was Leeds target.

Jermaine Pennant, Didier Domi, Lamine Sakho, Zoumana Camara, Cyril Chapuis, Salomon Olembe and Roque Junior were all brought into the club on loan deals.

However having won just two games by early November, Reid was sacked.

“I was there at the wrong time. When I went in I didn’t realise that they were going to financially implode.

“Leeds is a fantastic club and I’m delighted that they’re doing well. I just want them to go up. It’s a club with a great tradition and a great support and I hope to see them back up there.”

After a stint as manager of Thailand, Reid is now assistant manager at Premiership club Stoke City.

Krishna... Elland Road trial.

WE ALREADY have our seemingly knowledgable world-wide scouting network to thank for Luciano Becchio (definitely), Mike Grella (one for the future), Rui Marques (of course) and Davide Soma (possibly).

And only a few days ago we learnt of another trialist, Argentinian defender Walter Garcia, who started the recent reserve game against Middlesbrough at centre half – we conceded four. So it wasn’t the best possible start for Garcia, but another player did impress.

Fijian winger Roy Krishna started the game on the wing and eventually found his way on to the scoresheet. Though it wasn’t enough as we lost 4-3 (Somma scoring the other two).

Krishna is contracted to Waitakere United in New Zealand but has recently been linked with a move to Europe – PSV Eindhoven have been touted as possible suitors.

He has represented Fiji eight times, scoring four goals.

It’s good to see Leeds United’s scouting network still covers the globe.

Check out Krishna’s brace against New Zealand in a recent World Cup qualifier – his second goal is very well taken.

Beckford... in his youth.

WHAT WOULD teams give for Jermaine Beckford’s registration documents now?

Well, around £5 million if you believe recent reports linking him with a move to Newcastle. And on that note, what club in their right mind would pay £5 million for a player out of contract in the summer?

Yes he’s quality and capable of moments of magic when being anonymous all game, but Newcastle have got a pretty good chance of bouncing back to the promise land that is the Premier League at the first time of asking – and that’s without Beckford.

Anyways, back to the point. We’ve got Beckford’s signature on the dotted line – no, not for a new contract unfortunately. It’s for Walpole Wanderers when he was just 13-years-old. Aside from the dodgy barnet, he’s changed one bit! I’m sure Uncle Ken could forge that signature somehow.