Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford has revealed that he didn't realise the magnitude of the rivalry between the Whites and Manchester United until he signed with the club. 

Beckford joined the Yorkshire club from non-league side Wealdstone in March 2006 and would go on to make nearly 150 appearances and score 84 times for the club.

Arguably his most famous goal for Leeds came in his final season for the club. The striker scored 30 times for the Whites in the 2009/10 campaign but one goal will likely stand out in the memory of the Elland Road faithful.

Leeds were in League One at the time and drew Premier League champions, and historic rivals, Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup.

The Whites completed a famous upset against the Red Devils, beating them 1-0 at Old Trafford with Beckford's first-half goal the difference-maker.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, he discussed the rivalry and his personal experience of it.

He said: "That game and that goal was massive.

"But after I had first signed I didn’t realise the magnitude of the rivalry between the two sides, I didn’t realise how big it was.

“I knew it was a huge rivalry, don’t get me wrong for a second. But when you hear about rivalries you hear about the local derbies, you hear about teams that have had massive clashes in the past ie Leeds Millwall for example, Chelsea that sort of stuff."

Beckford added: “Every week I used to walk through Leeds city centre and just get a feel of the vibe from fans et cetera and the city, just to see what the next game was going to be like. It didn’t change the way I approached that game, I approached every game the same.

“But the energy around the place was completely different. People wouldn’t stop and say good luck this weekend, make sure you score a goal, have fun, enjoy it.

“They would be like this is the one you cannot mess up, this is what it is and you take these ones seriously. Any little thing you get up. If you get half a chance to smash them, you smash them, that kind of thing.

“You could tell that something different was in the air and that made me take it a little more personal.

“There was a personal vendetta against those guys."

Leeds have not faced Manchester United in a competitive match since 2011 but the two sides did meet in pre-season in Australia last summer.

The Whites will be hoping they get the chance to face them twice in the Premier League next year.

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The Verdict

It's interesting to get Beckford's insight into how much he had underestimated it before he arrived at the club.

Leeds' 16-year absence from the Premier League has meant that the rivalry between the two sides has not been talked about much in recent years, however, you feel it still burns for many fans of the Yorkshire club.

The prospect of the rivalry re-igniting next season is a mouthwatering one.