The unnamed writer suggests that the former England striker could still command wages upwards of £50,000 per week, which is precisely where any Leeds United fan that has been around for the last seven years stopped reading and started rolling around on the floor in fits of uncontrollable laughter.

The worrying thing is that some Leeds United fans tend to buy into these nonsensical rumours and are currently setting themselves up for a huge fall when our starting line-up next season doesn’t feature the likes of Jermaine Beckford, Michael Owen and Joey Barton – all of these players are out of our price-range, and footballers seldom take pay-cuts to join what used to be a big (high-paying) club.

We’re a mid-table Championship club now with Ken Bates as our chairman – we need to keep things in perspective.

The problem is that these rumours quickly gain traction due to the incredible power of social media. The Yorkshire Post publish a ridiculously speculative piece, a few dozen tweet about it and within a couple of hours, it’s no a longer the “what if?” that the Yorkshire Post published, but a full scale rumour backed up by sightings of clandestine meetings allegedly held in highly public places.

What was initially “What if Leeds United gambled on a £50k-per-week injury-plagued former England striker” quickly becomes “Neil Warnock is chasing Michael Owen” and before you know it, someone has taken it upon themselves to start claiming that the deal will be completed by early next week. It’s Chinese whispers on speed.

Remember when I said I’d run around Elland Road naked if Patrick Viera signed? Well, if Michael Owen signs I’ll run the London marathon and donate every penny I make in sponsorship to Ken Bates. And just so you understand how serious I am, the only thing I hate more than unnecessary exercise is giving money to Ken Bates.

On a positive, and more importantly, realistic note, Neil Warnock has hinted at a move for Clint Hill should he decide to leave QPR when his current contract expires.

Football Blogging Awards 2012

 If you’ve enjoyed (or appreciated) the site this year, please vote for us in the 2012 FBA’s by clicking here.

We’re also backing The Square Ball and Glory Glory Leeds in the best podcast category .

On the approach to Old Trafford I came across a man with a masterplan to make money by selling those cup game scarves you see baring the colours of both teams with a 50/50 divide. Clearly he’d underestimated how much we both hated one another as I can’t see many Leeds United fans buying a scarf with Manchester United’s name and colours on it (and vice versa). He didn’t look to be having much success as I passed that’s for sure.

By this point there was Police everywhere as you may well expect. Apparently there’d already been some trouble between the fans in the station and a couple of fights outside the ground, but on the whole and considering the occasion, it wasn’t as bad as may have been expected. I didn’t encounter any problems with the opposition fans anyway and all the Leeds fans I saw were being their usual charming selves. I guess if anything was to kick off, it’d have likely happened after the game but there’s a funny thing about winning that makes our naughtier few better behaved.

The security element of the tie was doing their best to treat us all like animals. As the Police warned some fans to calm their passions “or else” I moved by swiftly before another unjustified altercation with the law that I could do without. Travelling away often presents itself with instances where the Police decide you have less rights than a terrorist and very little right to complain thereafter – regardless of whether you’d done anything wrong or not!

The temptation of asking the steward who searched me on the way into the ground if he’d at least buy me dinner first was hard to resist, such was the mans thoroughness and clear love of his job. I did resist however as there were more law enforcement officers around and they didn’t look like they’d need much of an excuse to arrest any fan they felt was being problematic, so it was through the turnstyles and in to Sold Trafford for the first time in almost six years.

You have to give credit to Man United’s manager for his approach to this game. As big a distaste for the bloke as we all may have, he rarely makes a mistake in his preperation for media frenzy matches like these and he wasn’t about to start now. All week he’d been stressing publically how big a match this would be for Leeds and the supporters of both teams. He’d told of how we shouldn’t be underestimated and warned his team for a battle and that’s exactly what they got.

From the off Leeds looked to take the game to ManU and it was clear we were in for a two-way battle. Most minnow teams like ourselves go to Old Trafford and look to leave with a respectable scoreline, but Simon Grayson was having none of that. If we’re going to play, we’re playing to win.

Chances fell both ways with Darren Gibson firing wide for ManU and Jermaine Beckford heading over the bar for Leeds. Danny Welbeck quickly settled into the game for Manchester United and was making a real nuisance of himself down the right. Andy Hughes was left wondering what had happened as Welbeck burst down the flank with pace and sent a good cross straight across goal, with no Man United player able to make a connection. Meanwhile, the older Donkey Brother was getting his usual reception from the Leeds faithful and was booed everytime he touched the ball.

Becchio had a good chance for Leeds with a headed attempt from Kilkenny’s cross but headed well over the top of goal. It was the best chance so far and Becchio knew he should have done better. Meanwhile, the crowd was in full voice as the Man United fans repeated “We all hate Leeds scum” again which they mixed with a song about Cantona and some nonsense about Rooney. Hard to hear them whilst munching Prawn sandwiches in all honesty. Leeds on the other hand had no time to snack and were busy working there way through a much wider range of songs. This was probably around the ‘we’re not famous anymore’ stage of proceedings.

On the pitch the exchanges were just as lively. Leeds were fighting for every ball and attacking at every available opportunity. Simon Grayson’s tactics of pushing men forward when in possession made for a brilliant end to end battle, but there were several nervy moments when the Reds countered and their pacey players like Welbeck broke free.

Beckford celebrates the goal of his career

It was roughly twenty minutes in to an action packed first half when Leeds countered quickly and took the lead. Jonny Howson picked out Jermaine Beckford who had been busy giving the over-rated Wes Brown the run around with an excellent long-range pass that landed nicely for Beckford. His first touch took him wide of the goalkeeper and his second was a tame shot that beat the goalkeeper and slowly but surely crossed the line! Cue crazy celebrations in Old Trafford and silence in the home stands. “1-0 in your cup final!” Wes Brown meanwhile may as well have been sat in the stands.

Man United quickly tried to get back on level terms and had it not been for a Jason Crowe goal-line clearence, Wayne Rooney would have done so almost immediately. That was about the best Man United could offer in terms of a reply in the first half and as tempers began to flair, the horrible Wes Brown got himself booked for a foul on Lucciano Becchio. One of several poor challenges he made in a game where it was a miracle he didn’t get sent off.

After a cheerful half-time for Leeds United fans, we returned for the second half and rather unsurprisingly, Man United were throwing bodies forward. Their whinging players futile appeals for a penalty were dismissed by the ref after Howson dispossessed Welbeck and just minutes later, the tempers flaired again as Micky Doyle was brought down for a free-kick. Jonny Howson – who played an absolute blinder - decided he could take on Gibson and Brown and as tempers flaired, the ref had to intervene and calm matters down before normal service was resumed.

The ref - who despite his reluctance to send Wes Brown off for a series of challenges where he never got anywhere near the ball - had to issue some more yellow cards as the tackles started to fly in all over the place. Both Naylor and Gibson found their way into the book, but in truth, both teams could have received a lot more yellow cards but a very good ref allowed the game to flow throughout and tried to keep his cards in his pocket.

Nayl’s was solid and hungry throughout, as was Kisnorbo. Even the usually criticised Hughes and Crowe were sticking the tackles in and making life hard for Manchester United. The midfield were closing down and challenging players whenever Man U were in possession and Becchio seemed to play the majority of the match back there with them. When we had possession, we were never afraid to pass it about and run with the ball, particulary Johnson and Howson who deserve a special mention. The whole team as one were performing brilliantly and you have to give full credit to Grayson who was tactically spot on.

Man United, who had started strongly enough with a good defence and near-on £60m in strikers decided to make some more changes to try and win the battle of the midfield. Giggs and Valencia came on, but surprisingly Welbeck was removed which was a bit of a relief as the lad’s pace had caused us problems throughout. Strange move, but I’m sure there was motive to the madness.

Owen joined proceedings not long after but despite so many attacking options, Man U were still struggling in defence and Jermaine Beckford once again broke free to narrowly fire wide when one on one with the keeper. Hearts in mouths by now, as Rooney prowled and Owen looked to get in on the action.

Leeds would get another chance however, by which point Snoddy had joined proceedings in replace of the outstanding Jonny Howson. A free-kick in a good position had his name written all over and he struck beautifully, only to be denied by the bar. Despite leading, one more would have settled some nerves as we approached the end of the game and the inevitable five minutes of added time came. As the crowd mocked the officals with chants of ‘Fergy time,’ Man United looked for one final chance, but Casper, Nayl’s, Kis and whoever else could get their body in the way kept the Champions at bay.

The final whistle blew and Leeds celebrated a result we’ve not managed in 29 years. Victory at Old Trafford for the FA Cup minnows and third tier team. Every Man United fan you taunt over the coming days will inevitably claim it was a weak team or that the referee didn’t give them 29 minutes of ET and three penalties, but there’s no taking away from what Simon Grayson’s lads achieved today. They did us proud and thoroughly deserved their victory. A special day for Leeds United that I expect we’ll look back on in years to come as the first sign of our resurrection.

TSS man of the match
Jonny Howson for me. I could hazard a guess that ITV went for Becks and it wouldn’t be undeserved. He made Wes Brown look second rate throughout and was always a threat, but Jonny rose to the occasion like the Leeds lad he is. He knew what the rivalry meant and gave it absolutely everything. All the team played their part and all of them deserve the praise they’ll receive but Jonny grew today for me. He was like Leeds’ answer to Stevie G.

The draw for the fourth round gave us another trip down memory lane as we head for Tottenham Hotspur. Ken Bates will no doubt be delighted too at another obvious money spinner, which will once again undoubtedly be on TV.

A great start to 2010 I’m sure you’ll agree. Happy new decade for Leeds? Let’s hope we’re celebrating just as much in May! One things for sure now though. If Beckford does leave in the coming days, he’ll leave Leeds United a hero, in the meantime though, I’m sure you’ll enjoy his goal again!

Team news
It’s doubtful Liverpool will risk too many key players for a League Cup clash. The club will be competing on four fronts this season as they look to add to their impressive collection of silverware, so you shouldn’t expect to see the likes of Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres. That doesn’t mean Rafa Benitez isn’t taking the competition seriously. He’s already admitted he would like to reach the final again and right the wrongs of 2005, when a Steven Gerrard own goal cost them their eighth League Cup title.

Leeds meanwhile are unlikely to change too many faces from the side that beat Gillingham 4-1 on Saturday. If there are any changes, they’ll likely be in defence where Richard Naylor could make a welcomed return. Liverpool fan, Andy Robinson has told how he’d love to get on the pitch for the tie, but is unlikely to get anything more than a place on the subs bench.

Head to head
The last time Liverpool played at Elland Road was in our relegation season of 2003-04. The scoring was opened by Harry Kewell, who had now moved to Anfield. Eirik Bakke equalised a few minutes later though, before Mark Viduka fired us infront. Baros equalised for Liverpool just before halftime and the match finished 2-2.

In a season where we were struggling and the squad was being sold off to the highest bidder, the reverse fixture saw us slump to a 3-1 defeat. Infact, you have to go back all the way to the 2000/01 season to find the last time we beat Liverpool. That season, we beat them both home and away as Mark Viduka fired four past them at Elland Road, in what remains one of my favourite matches, and Rio Ferdinand and Lee Bowyer scored to give us a 2-1 victory at Anfield.

Overall, our record against Liverpool isn’t great. Of the 113 fixtures between the two sides, Leeds have won 27, drawing 30 and losing 56.

The League Cup
Liverpool have won the League Cup seven times, which is more than any other team. The last time they won it was at The Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, when they beat Manchester United 2-0 with goals from Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen.

Leeds have won the competition just once in 1968. Terry Cooper’s goal was enough to see Arsenal off and give Don Revie his first major trophy. Howard Wilkinson guided us to the final once more in 1996, but Leeds were beaten 3-0 by Aston Villa.

The managers
Simon Grayson banned the team from talking about the fixture right until the final whistle went at Gillingham. He admits that gaining promotion from League One is the priority, but has now turned his attention to Liverpool looking for a Premiership scalp to add to his impressive record at Elland Road. Speaking after the Saturday’s win he said;

“Being top of the league gives us a boost going into Tuesday’s game and a platform for the rest of the season. We will be judged on where we finish,

“They had to focus on beating Gillingham because the league is their bread and butter and they showed the right attitude.

“We are playing one of the best teams in the world on Tuesday but we will approach the game with a lot of confidence and belief.”

Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez told Sky Sports that he’s been watching DVD’s of Leeds and knows the fans will be right behind us.

“I believe the game will be a sell-out, and it is a surprise to me that Leeds find themselves in League One these days,

“Leeds will be difficult, we know they are a big club and we respect their history.

“I have been watching DVDs of their games and it is clear that their supporters are very important to them. They back their team all the time and make it tough for their opponents.

“Those fans are amazing, such loyalty and support, and that has been very apparent to me in watching tapes from last season.”

Rafa also added that ”We know it will be tough. It is a massive club despite the division they are in.

 ”I have no doubts that this will be a very difficult match. They have quality and they are a big club with great traditions.

“They will want to win this one because of the situation they find themselves in.”

Nice to know we haven’t been forgotten!

Can we win?
Whilst the realist in me isn’t convinced, the Leeds fan says ‘of course we can.’ Elland Road is a tough place to play for any team because of the crowd. Even with 7,000 Scousers cheering Liverpool on, they’ll still have to contend with 33,000 Leeds fans, which isn’t going to be easy for an inexperienced side (assuming that’s what they play). I guess the other thing in our favour is that we have nothing to lose. Win, lose or draw, the game will be a good money spinner for us and none of us expect to win the League Cup so being knocked out of it isn’t the end of the world.

Whatever happens, it should be a good night with an electric atmosphere. On and on…