Aaronson has been the subject of heavy criticism from some onlookers amid tepid performances
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
15:00, 26 Nov 2025
Brenden Aaronson
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Brenden Aaronson(Image: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)
Daniel Farke has set his stall out with Brenden Aaronson. As things stand, he is the first-choice right winger. It’s a scenario few, perhaps no-one, envisaged at the start of the season.
The likelihood is that whomever Leeds United had brought in towards the end of the window would have been used ahead of the American amid the current circumstances. The effects of failing to get that final signing are playing out in real time, though United’s flimsy form cannot be pinned on just that.
Against Aston Villa, Aaronson was seen drifting inside off the ball to get close to striker Lukas Nmecha - which is the type of profile attributes Leeds were after with a new winger in the final knockings of the summer.
Farke had mentioned the lack of direct support off the striker as something he had focused on addressing and has previously explained how he likes to have a balance between defensive efforts and attacking traits on the wings.
Many supporters are frustrated with the overall output of Aaronson, who received a large groan from match-goers when an Aston Villa counter attack was sparked from his loss of the ball on Sunday.
In the past four games, only Lukas Nmecha has equalled his goal contriubtions tally - his two goals alongside Aaronson's goal and assist.
Critics had bemoaned his selection ahead of a fit Daniel James, who nearly grabbed an equaliser for Leeds against Villa but for an unfortunate handball by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Chants for James and Wilfried Gnonto went up from some sections of the crowd before their entries into the game. And at around 63 minutes, loud chants of ‘make a sub’ were directed at Farke, who only made his first second half change after 70 minutes.
He said it was “totally OK” for fans to express their opinions but “what I won't do is have a round table before each game.”
He added: “I see who is ready to go and is prepared. Everyone is allowed to have their opinion, especially our supporters who are loud and are also invited to have an opinion. No problem at all.
“But I can't be driven too much by the emotions. I don't substitute them after 50 or 55 minutes, just because someone is singing.”
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke
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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke(Image: MB Media/Getty Images)
Farke also launched an impassioned defence about the “unfair” criticism Aaronson has faced - something that his teammates are aware of and “don’t like”.
“We can criticise him for his performances, but what we do with him at the moment, I think it's more than unfair,” said Farke. “I'm just worried about how we are with society, with our social media stuff.
“We can criticise them, and we can think 'OK, you should not play football games' or whatever. But also, come on, watch and judge performances at least a little bit.
"And if you don't want to do this in terms of relationship, come on, be a bit respectful with a young lad of 24 years old. And then otherwise, we don't have to have all these mental health awareness days, and we can put it into the bin.”
Aaronson did not play woefully overall against Villa, despite the outrage amid his mid-game giveaway.
Social media can be a cesspit of vulgar abuse at times. Yet it would be wrong to tar every fan with the same brush and there is no suggestion that Farke is.
After all, he did not say Aaronson cannot be critiqued, even stating that the playmaker can annoy him himself at times with being too complicated in his play. But there is a line.
Some argue that Aaronson should be taken out of the limelight and away from the eyes of critics. But the chances are that he starts against Manchester City at least, and could do so in the next few games too.
Daniel Farke Manager of Leeds United gives instruction to Brenden Aaronson
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Daniel Farke Manager of Leeds United gives instruction to Brenden Aaronson(Image: SmartFrame/Pro Sports Images)
One criticism that cannot be levelled at Aaronson is his work rate and desire to press. These are attributes that Leeds will need against the big hitters.
If we look at the trip to Man City as a singular game, without the ongoing context of frustration around him, it would be understandable for him to start at the Etihad Stadium.
Leeds are also likely to have little possession against Chelsea and Liverpool. If you want someone to hassle and harry, Aaronson is your man. Then using James and Gnonto to exploit tired legs later on isn’t a bad ploy.
Some may argue that Leeds need to be more positive, and this is undoubtedly the case in games against those not gunning for the title. But there also needs to be a sense of realism and practicality for these next three matches.
Farke is not going to beat these teams at their own game. Leeds need to do something different, frustrate, hassle and annoy.
Win free-kicks, utilise set-pieces and keep running. Playing Aaronson again might irk some supporters but Farke has more justifiable reason to do so in this next batch of games.
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