Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said that Leeds United's decision to sack Jesse Marsch as head coach complicates his team's preparations for their upcoming double-header with the Whites.
The Red Devils will welcome Leeds to Old Trafford on Wednesday evening before visiting Elland Road on Sunday, with both matches taking place in the Premier League.
Man United had been preparing to take on Marsch's Leeds side, but the American was sacked as head coach on Monday, with Michael Skubala now set to lead the visitors at Old Trafford.
Marsch was only in charge of 37 matches for Leeds, boasting a record of 11 wins, 10 draws and 16 defeats, and the team's recent struggles led to his withdrawal from the managerial role.
Ten Hag, speaking during Tuesday's press conference, said that the change in the dugout has "definitely" impacted Man United's preparations.
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"Definitely and you don't know. We have to be aware of that. When Jesse was at Leeds, it was clear how they play, their way of play, system, style," the Dutchman told reporters.
"Now, it's possible they change but it's also possible they don't change. We will find out on the pitch tomorrow and then we need good anticipation on that if they change, and if not, we know what to do.
"Bad anticipation for instance against Villa, the difference for them when [Unai] Emery came in is they had a week to prepare and now they [Leeds] don't have so much time to prepare.
"We will see but we need good anticipation and to be proactive."
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Ten Hag also offered his reaction to Marsch's dismissal, with Leeds winless in the Premier League since the start of November, and they will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
"It's always sad if a manager is a colleague and gets sacked, in general I don't believe in it that if you sack a manager you get better results," Ten Hag added.
"Most of the time, it doesn't work. Let managers do their work, finish their work and then make a good evaluation. Obviously, the pressure is high with the decision makers in football clubs and they turn.
"But if you see the facts, you see the stats, most of the time it doesn't work out well."
Man United recorded a 5-1 win over Leeds in the corresponding match at Old Trafford last season, while they have not lost to the Whites in England's top flight since September 2002.
Matt Law
