Leeds & Man United have come together to give Rotherham a 2026 opportunity that didn't seem possible | OneFootball

Huge rivalry set aside as young starlets venture to senior football to help keep the Millers afloat

Harry Gray and Gabriele Biancheri are two names EFL fans have become well aware of as significant prospects for Leeds United and Manchester United, respectively.

The duo are highly-rated at two clubs that despise each other and, in future years, they may well be going up against each other in the famous Roses rivalry.

Now, though, the two are linking up at relegation-threatened Rotherham United in a bid to fire the Millers up the table and keep them in League One - something that might not have seemed totally possible towards the end of 2025.

Rotherham have obtained two of the hottest prospects in English football

Gray and Biancheri have arrived at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on loan for the remainder of the season, marking their first stints in senior football, and Millers’ fans are hoping the two live up to the hype surrounding them.

At the time of writing, Rotherham find themselves in the relegation places of League One. However, having won their last two games, Rotherham have regained some confidence and form that they hope will renew faith in the supporters that they can fire themselves back up the table.

And at the forefront of this is the long-standing rivalry turned partnership of Leeds and Manchester United as they have sent their starlets to the Millers in the prospect of giving Rotherham a well-needed shot at staying up.

Following a disastrous run of form that saw the Millers drop from the brink of play-off contention to the foot of the table. The prospect of relegation looked and felt like an inevitability, but with the spark of hope from the two goalscorers, Rotherham's impending relegation seems to be easing slightly.

Rotherham have struggled profusely at the top end of the pitch as they have been without last season’s top scorer, Sam Nombe, for much of the season through injury.

Gray, having already scored two in his last two for his new club, was a much-needed addition earlier on in the January transfer window, whilst his partner up top, Biancheri, will be striving to match his parent club rival and prove his impressive ability at youth level can be replicated on the senior stage.

They will be helped with the services of Duncan Watmore alongside them in the frontline. A player with a wealth of experience at the top level has likewise joined the Millers in the January transfer window to bring both his talent, work rate and overall experience of the game.

Gray and Biancheri will be all the better for his addition, learning from his craft and enthusiasm to further enhance their game.

The move does not come without Rotherham risks

Albeit highly touted and proficient goalscorers at youth level, both Gray, 17, and Biancheri, 19, present a risk for Rotherham.

The weight of the club rests upon the shoulders of these young men, as the purpose of scoring goals and winning games is primarily in their hands.

Young Gray has taken to this responsibility with undoubted confidence, having found himself on the scoresheet in the last two games with impressive finishes against Northampton Town and Exeter City.

With Biancheri potentially set to make his Rotherham debut against Cardiff City over the weekend, he will be hoping to hit the ground running against his former side.

Dynamic, direct and quick forwards who can play anywhere across the front line - their link-up and enthusiasm for the game will be imperative if Rotherham want to seek a way out of the relegation places.

Like his partner up top, Biancheri’s numbers in youth football are very impressive – and if he can replicate this ability at the senior level, the gamble for the pair would have paid off, and both Leeds and Manchester United would be the better for it.

Goals win games, and Rotherham manager Matt Hamshaw will be hoping his acquisition will be exactly the turning point he needs in this tumultuous season to stave off relegation fears and end the 2025/2026 season better than how he started it.

The Rotherham loans are positive for all involved

These deals have the potential to be a positive one for all involved. Rotherham get the players needed to propel their side up the table and out of the relegation places.

Both Gray and Biancheri get experience playing senior football in a tough environment and the opportunity to prove themselves and learn valuable lessons.

While Leeds and Manchester United get the opportunity to view both players in a professional capacity, with the hope of progressing them into the first team.

For now, they will be teammates. But both players’ parent clubs will be hoping that, in the future, they can set their potential friendship aside when they face each other in what is one of the most heated derbies that English Football has to offer.