Leeds United lost at Arsenal last weekend, but there was no collapse and no embarrassment. They were beaten 2-1, gave Arsenal problems and left with some credit intact. That matters, because promoted sides often get praise for effort and nothing else. Leeds have moved beyond that stage. Under Daniel Farke, they look organised, competitive and increasingly hard to bully.

Manchester United arrive in a very different place. A 2-0 defeat away to Atletico Madrid followed a 1-1 home draw against 10-man Tottenham. The numbers are ugly and the mood is worse. It has already been described as their worst start to a league season in 40 years, and that is the sort of line that follows a club around when confidence is thin.

This fixture carries its usual edge, but the context has shifted. Leeds are no longer simply hoping to stay close. United are no longer turning up with an automatic aura. For the first time in Premier League history, Leeds go into this meeting as favourites. That tells you enough.

Last season’s 1-1 draw at Elland Road ended up being significant for different reasons. It proved the end of the road for Ruben Amorim, who left with 25 wins from 63 matches in charge. Since then, the two clubs have drifted in opposite directions.

If you judge the table from that result through to now, Leeds sit seventh. That sounds about right. They have improved over the last 10 months and they have done it without drama. Farke has made them more stable, more sensible and more dangerous in transition. They also won 2-1 at Old Trafford last season, their first Premier League win over Manchester United since 2002. Psychological barriers are useful until they disappear. Leeds have already dealt with that one.

There are still issues for Farke to manage. Dan James is being assessed after returning from Wales duty with a back problem, an issue that kept him out of the Arsenal defeat. Joe Rodon remains unavailable with the hamstring injury he suffered against Brentford and is not expected back in full training until next month. Harry Wilson, after a quad problem, is back in contention after being an unused substitute last time out.

There is enough there for Leeds to feel positive. They have pace, energy and enough midfield quality to make this awkward for United, especially at home where emotion tends to accelerate everything.

United’s team news is not ideal and that is putting more weight on Michael Carrick before a ball is kicked. Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo are both doubts after picking up knocks in the draw with Tottenham. Neither travelled for the defeat in Madrid. Benjamin Sesko has missed the last two matches because of a recurring shin problem and there is still no return date.