Daniel Farke and Ruben Amorim side by side smiling.
Credit: Imago
Danny Wright
Sun 26 October 2025 8:19, UK
Leeds United sent a scout to watch Manchester United’s Under-21s play Barnsley earlier this week in the EFL Trophy.
The League One side beat the Man United youngsters, who ended the game with 10 men, 5-2 at Oakwell on Tuesday night.
Leeds are one of a number of clubs who reportedly had a senior scout at the midweek game in Yorkshire as Man United showed off some of their top young talent against a senior side.
Daniel Farke has enjoyed a solid start to the Premier League season, with Leeds’ win over West Ham on Friday night putting them on 11 points after nine games.
And it seems that January business is now being lined up as the clocks go back and the nights draw in.
Daniel Farke applauds Leeds United fans
Credit: Imago
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Man United ready to do loan deal for Shea Lacey
Shea Lacey is a youngster who’s making waves at Old Trafford right now and The Sun journalist Alan Nixon reports that there’s a good chance he’ll be sent out on loan in January.
Writing on his Patreon on 26 October, Nixon reported that Leeds, Burnley and Nottingham Forest were among the Premier League clubs who had staff stationed at Oakwell to watch Man United’s Under-21s, who had 18-year-old winger Lacey starring in the side.
It is understood that Ruben Amorim is eyeing up Lacey for a first-team role at Old Trafford but a loan deal beforehand makes sense.
Clubs who had scouts at Barnsley vs Man United U21s:
Premier League: Leeds, Burnley, Nottingham Forest
Championship: Leicester, Ipswich, Charlton, Norwich, Hull, Derby
League One: Doncaster, Leyton Orient, Reading, Mansfield, Wimbledon, Blackpool, Wigan, Bolton
League Two: Crewe, Grimsby, Bromley, Tranmere, Shrewsbury
Scottish Premiership: Motherwell
More to follow…