Waking up to a red temper

Famous for his early rises, Alex Ferguson should have no difficulty getting his players up for this morning's eagerly-awaited encounter between Manchester United and Leeds United, one of the few sides capable of - and not afraid of - taking on the Premiership champions on their own Old Trafford turf.

Manchester United have, as few doubted they would, risen early to the top of the league this season, having leapfrogged over Leicester City with, dare one say it, almost arrogant ease at Filbert Street last Saturday. But after early season hiccups, Leeds themselves have risen into the top five where Ferguson said yesterday he and most observers expected David O'Leary's side to be pre-season.

Although Leeds have been undermined by a plethora of injuries and tomorrow will be without the spine of a team - goalkeeper Nigel Martyn, centre half and captain Lucas Radebe, midfield general and record-signing Olivier Dacourt, and now Michael Bridges (out for six weeks after damaging an ankle in Istanbul), they have shown the depth of quality in their young squad by maintaining a high league position and progressing in the Champions League.

Given that there is no immediate sign of a return to playing from David Batty, Harry Kewell, Jason Wilcox and Michael Duberry, O'Leary was entitled to joke yesterday that: "I might have to register myself, Eddie Gray and Roy Aitken. The way things are going we are going to have no one left."

Leeds may not have beaten Man United under O'Leary, but evidence of their on-pitch improvement came via their off-pitch financial figures yesterday. They showed Leeds' turnover increased by £20.1 million sterling last year and that they are making a profit despite their transfer dealings.

Ferguson, for one, is impressed. "They have had a lot of injuries early season," he said. "But they've done well to stabilise the ship. After the start they had, that was a big task. It tells you they have the strong squad you need in the Premier League."

Ferguson then compared the two clubs and how Leeds have replicated his own tactics at Old Trafford. "They have the same ideology and the same principles. I know they looked at us and took a lot from us." He did not mention Brian Kidd at this point. Kidd is now in charge of youth development at Elland Road.

"They made a conscious effort and commitment to youth, which is the only way you can do it." Asked if Alan Smith was one of them, and if Smith's physical reputation was justified, Ferguson replied: "I don't mind aggression if it is channelled."

Smith, who will not be 20 until next Saturday, arrives at Old Trafford as England's top scorer with nine goals in all competitions. Yet the fact that he missed the match against Besiktas because of suspension and that he was sent off for England under-21s against Finland 10 days ago, are reminders that Smith's bad reputation is not unwarranted. Last season he scored less goals (four) than yellow cards he received (five).

"David O'Leary has talked to me about that a lot. He has shown a lot of faith in me. I've had a lot of bad press and it can be misunderstood. It can be hurtful," Smith said.

Smith is likely to partner Mark Viduka up front, but there is a query as to which permutation Ferguson will plump for in his forward pairing. Ferguson said that Teddy Sheringham took a knock on his calf in training yesterday morning.

Dwight Yorke came on for Sheringham against PSV Eindhoven and scored his first goal of an interrupted season. Yorke attributed his low Premiership profile to a combination of Sheringham and Andrew Cole's form and to his frequent trips with Trinidad and Tobago.

Late returns from those matches have caused Ferguson some annoyance but Yorke said any hostility between the two is finished. "He said his bit and I said mine. That's the end of it."

Or is it? Yesterday morning Ferguson was red with rage and again Yorke was involved. Involved but not blamed. No, the accused were Her Majesty's press for reporting that Ferguson has told the maritally-challenged Yorke to find a wife.

It would be professional to report what Ferguson said, but this is a family newspaper. Suffice to say that getting angry in the morning is still the Manchester United way.