Leeds United v Sheffield United: Old friends together again to keep Leeds on the up

But, then, not many of those plying their trade in the second tier can boast famous fathers who helped transform Manchester United from the serial under-achievers of English football into its dominant force.

Steve Bruce and Peter Schmeichel won every possible honour between them so it was perhaps understandable that when their two young sons, Alex and Kasper, decided to stage an impromptu kickabout in the Old Trafford tunnel after one home game in the Nineties the BBC should keep the cameras rolling.

The footage of Alex shooting past Kasper, resplendent in full United goalkeeping kit, was duly shown later that night before being left to gather dust in the Match of the Day vaults.

It has been dug out just once since then, when Schmeichel jnr made his Premier League debut for Manchester City in 2007.

Now, however, it seems only a matter of time before the BBC again raid their archive due to the pair – who were next door neighbours in Bramhall, Cheshire, for several years as well as good friends – having been reunited at Leeds United.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post ahead of what today should be his home debut in the league, Alex Bruce admits: "It is strange to be at the same club.

"Kasper signed a couple of weeks before I found out Leeds were interested in me. Being reunited with him was one of the first things I thought of.

"We lived next door to each other as kids, when we would belt balls at each other all day long. I would stick him in goal and then make him dive around on the gravel.

"I was a striker back then, it was only when I got older that I was told I wasn't a striker but a defender. I should have got the hint earlier, I was getting moved back so much that, at one stage, it looked like I might end up in goal.

"In a funny way, I suppose we taught each other our trade during those days when we would knock the ball around in the street."

Due to the foot injury Schmeichel sustained at Watford late last month, the two boyhood friends will not be in the team to face Sheffield United this afternoon.

It should, however, still be a notable afternoon for Bruce, whose father Steve started his managerial career with the Blades in July, 1998.

He left 12 months later, citing boardroom upheaval and a lack of funds, but it is the events of the recent summer that are likely to put the spotlight on Leeds's 200,000 signing from Ipswich Town.

At one stage, it appeared that the 25-year-old would be heading to Bramall Lane after being given permission to speak to then manager Kevin Blackwell.

Instead, he opted for Elland Road – a decision that Bruce insists was made easy for him.

The Norwich-born defender said: "In the summer, I knew I would not be staying at Ipswich. The manager (Roy Keane) had taken my squad number off me, which was a bit bizarre and petty. But it did tell me I had outstayed my welcome.

"Sheffield United were allowed to speak to me but could not agree a fee with Ipswich. They were squabbling over it and no progress was being made.

"Leeds then came in and agreed a fee straight away, which made me feel wanted. Even though I'd had talks in Sheffield, there was only one club to join after that."

Whether Bruce's decision brings any reaction from the travelling Blades fans today remains to be seen.

But what is unlikely is a repeat of another derby game in Yorkshire when, as a nave

20-year-old, he saw red after being bombarded with abuse by opposition supporters.

It came in the colours of Sheffield Wednesday at Huddersfield Town, where Bruce's dad had once been manager.

He said: "I have not been on the receiving end too often because of my dad, though I do remember that night at Huddersfield. I was determined to make an impression after having just joined on loan.

"Unfortunately, I flew into this tackle and caught the lad. The referee sent me straight off. I had been a bit nave and a bit too eager for my own good. It was an important lesson.

"But it doesn't happen too much.

"Crystal Palace is probably one of the few others where I get a bit of stick about my dad, who managed there.

"It is water off a duck's back to me now."

Now, happily ensconced at Leeds, Bruce is hoping to start today as Elland Road prepares to host the Football League's biggest crowd of the season.

If he does get the nod, it will bring back memories of another highly-charged afternoon at Elland Road when Bruce and his then Ipswich team-mates knew they could relegate the home side to League One.

He recalls: "It was near the end of the (2006-07) season and I still can't get over how fanatical the Leeds supporters were that day.

"It was an emotional day for everyone, including us in the visitors' dressing room. There was so much passion around the place it was unbelievable.

"Leeds went in front early but Ipswich equalised right at the end.

"The fans then came on the pitch in a desperate attempt not to get relegated. I felt sorry for them in a way, but we had a job to do.

"When the final whistle went, it was heart-breaking to see so many upset people.

"They were devastated.

"I had never been to Elland Road when my dad played, though I had played in a Youth Cup tie there when I was at Blackburn.

"We lost 3-2 and Aaron Lennon won three penalties. And, no, it wasn't me that was supposed to be marking him.

"But that visit with Ipswich was something else.

"The passion of the fans made a big impression on me so it is great to now be part of that."

Leeds Utd v Sheffield Utd

Team news: For Leeds, Fede Bessone is out for at least a week so new loan signing George McCartney should start, but Billy Paynter has suffered a setback in his recovery from the toe injury that has delayed his debut. Kasper Schmeichel and Paul Connolly will also be missing, though Amdy Faye could come into the reckoning along with Ramon Nunez who has finally been granted a work permit.

The Blades are without Chris Morgan (hamstring) so loan signing Nyron Nosworthy returns to the starting line-up. Former England goalkeeper Richard Wright starts on the bench after joining on a short-term deal. Darius Henderson, Lee Williamson, Ryan France, and Rob Kozluk are other injury absentees.

Last six games: Leeds United WLWWLD, Sheffield United LLWWLW.

Last time: Leeds United 1 Sheffield United 1; October 21, 2005; Championship.

Referee: A Taylor (Cheshire).

SkyBet odds: Leeds to win evens, Sheffield United to win 11-4, Draw 12-5.

Haven't we met before?

Blades manager Gary Speed is not the only man with Leeds United links returning to Elland Road today...

Gary Speed: Now manager of the Blades, Speed spent 10 years playing for Leeds and was part of the team that won the Football League title under Howard Wilkinson.

John Carver: Worked as a first-team coach at Leeds under Kevin Blackwell and was put in caretaker charge for five games during the 2005-06 season. Appointed Blades coach last month.

Sam Ellis: Joined Leeds as assistant to Blackwell in 2004 and was kept on by Speed at Bramall Lane following Blackwell's exit.

Dean Riddle: Blades fitness coach who initially followed Blackwell to Leeds in 2003 but returned to Bramall Lane five years later.

Trevor Birch: Appointed chief executive by the Blades last season, Birch spent 12 months at Leeds during the 2003-04 season and handled the Gerald Krasner takeover.

Richard Cresswell: Former Leeds striker who also supported the club as a youngster, Cresswell was sold in 2007 due to financial pressures and linked up with the Blades last season.

Nick Montgomery/Darius Henderson: Both players joined Leeds as schoolboys but were released as teenagers. Montgomery has been a Blade ever since while striker Henderson, currently injured, moved to Bramall Lane two summers ago.

And a couple at Leeds who used to play for the Blades ...

Leigh Bromby: Spent four seasons at Bramall Lane, plus a loan stint in 2008-09.

Paul Connolly: Made 10 appearances on loan at the Blades last season from Derby.