Manchester United's title rivals will be looking to cash in on the champions' World Club Championship exploits when they tackle their first games of the new millennium.

Current Premiership leaders Leeds face Aston Villa at Elland Road on January 3rd while third-placed Sunderland and fourth-placed Arsenal are away from home.

Sunderland meet Wimbledon at Selhurst Park while Arsenal face Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Leeds have a St Stephen's Day clash with Leicester at Elland Road and then meet Arsenal at Highbury on December 28th.

Alex Ferguson's men are at home to Premiership strugglers Bradford on Stephen's Day and face Sunderland on December 28 before heading off to Brazil.

On Stephen's Day Sunderland are up against Everton at Goodison Park and Arsenal tackle Coventry. Meanwhile, Leeds manager David O'Leary praised his side's spirit as they regained top spot in the Premiership with their 2-0 victory at Chelsea.

O'Leary was unconcerned about the niggly elements of the game which saw Chelsea's Frank Leboeuf sent off, as he said: "This is a very good win and a nice three points.

"I'm proud of my players. We had a difficult game on Wednesday but we fought hard and I am so delighted.

"We defended well, but you would expect that when you come to Stamford Bridge and remember who my young boys are playing against. We've gone top again. I don't know where we will finish, but we're enjoying being top.

"How long we will stay there I don't know, but we will give it a good go," he concluded.

Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli admitted his players had "lost their heads". "I think probably yes, the players lost their heads," admitted Vialli who revealed that Jes Hogh had pulled a hamstring and Marcel Desailly dislocated his shoulder.

"I think it was definitely a yellow card for the foul and Frank deserved to be sent off. I might be angry with him," said Vialli.

"I don't want to add anything else. He deserved to be sent off and if there is anything to be dealt with it will be dealt with privately."

"It was not the best refereeing in the world but this is football."

Key Games For Leaders Over Christmas

LEEDS UNITED

Dec 26th: - Leicester (h)

Dec 28th: - Arsenal (a)

Jan 3rd: - Villa (h)

MANCHESTER UTD

Dec 26th: - Bradford (h)

Dec 28th: - Sunderland (a)

SUNDERLAND

Dec 26th: - Everton (a)

Dec 28th: - Man Utd (h)

Jan 3rd: - Wimbledon (a)

ARSENAL

Dec 26th: - Coventry (a)

Dec 28th: - Leeds (h)

Jan 3rd: - Sheff Wed (a)