Daniel Farke presented a composed and purposeful message as Leeds United continued preparations for their trip to Manchester City. He made it clear that he welcomes the weight of expectation landing on him rather than on his squad. “I am not focused on myself,” he said. “I like that the outside noise is on me and not the players. They need a leader not thinking about himself. I think about how we can stay in this league.”
This was a firm reminder of the values he wants to impose. He stressed togetherness, responsibility and clarity of purpose. His attitude has mirrored what many supporters have already seen from him in previous moments of pressure. Leeds enter the weekend under scrutiny but with a manager intent on protecting the dressing room rather than deflecting blame.
Injury difficulties with Stach and Longstaff unavailable
The squad list for the match contains several important absentees. Anton Stach will not be involved as he continues to follow concussion protocols after a recent incident. His recovery continues step by step and Farke insisted that the club will not rush his return.
“Stach will miss City due to following concussion protocol” he confirmed. “He will only be allowed to return to training on Sunday if everything goes his way.”
Sean Longstaff is another significant miss. The midfielder suffered a calf injury during the previous match and now faces an absence of four to six weeks. “Sadly Longstaff misses the game with a calf injury” Farke stated. “Four to six weeks out.”
The fitness of Sebastiaan Bornauw remains uncertain which leaves Farke with limited defensive options at a time when structure and organisation will be essential against one of the most fluid attacking sides in world football.
Leeds unity central as Aaronson remains under scrutiny
Brenden Aaronson has become a discussion point among parts of the fanbase this season but Farke was unequivocal in defending the player and reinforcing a message of unity. “He has had stick since his first day back here” he said. “We work together win together and lose together. We never finger point.”
He reiterated that this does not guarantee any player will play every match. The schedule combined with tactical needs means rotation remains vital. “Does not mean he plays every game. I doubt he will play three times for ninety minutes this week.”
The message was clear. While performances will influence selection criticism from outside will not dictate how Farke handles his squad.
Leeds remain focused on structure with transfer window approaching
As questions about January recruitment surface Farke underlined that Leeds will look for players who suit their structure rather than chase signings for the sake of numbers. “We just need players who stick to our structure” he said. “It is important we stick to what we are working to and in our beliefs and of course adapt.”
He reflected honestly on recent performances suggesting that results have not fully reflected the team’s efforts. “If you judge objective data we were in six games the better side but without points” he said. He described the need for more decisive moments from individuals. “More individual quality means moments like Rogers on Sunday or a perfect tackle.”
Farke again reminded supporters that he will not revisit complaints about the summer window. He accepted its limitations but insists Leeds must work within their current framework until January provides an opportunity to address imbalances.
Leeds seek tactical lessons after Manchester City midweek defeat
Manchester City’s defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League provided Leeds with a relevant tactical example. The undefeated 2023-24 German champions were able to sustain possession for long periods which prevented City from overwhelming them territory wise.
“Leverkusen had more than forty percent possession” Farke said. “If we go long lose the ball waste time and have twenty percent possession we will crack under pressure.”
He stressed the need for variation. “We need periods to keep the ball” he said. “We will go long when it suits us. Need a striker to hold the ball. If direct is the only plan we will not stay up.”
This is consistent with Farke’s approach throughout his coaching career. He wants bravery in possession even against stronger opponents and insists that abandoning structure leads to vulnerability.
Leeds confront difficulty but welcome the opportunity
Farke acknowledged the challenging mood surrounding the club. He admitted that the pressure is real particularly after the recent loss to Aston Villa. “It is not enjoyable at the moment because there is lots of stick” he said. “Did not deserve to lose to Villa. Performance really good in many aspects but if you do not win it is hard to win the momentum back.”
Yet he described matches like this as part of what makes elite football compelling. Facing Manchester City demands courage and clarity. “We are competitors and it is nice to have challenges like this” he said.
For Farke this fixture is not simply about surviving ninety minutes. It is a chance to test character grow resilience and demonstrate progress against the toughest opposition.
Leeds maintain survival as the season objective
Throughout his media duties Farke repeated one consistent message. The target is to stay in the Premier League. No narratives about top half ambitions. No unrealistic expectations. Just survival. “The goal is to finish seventeenth” he said. “Did not expect an easy ride. Had to work with limited resources. Challenges in the summer window. Everyone outside expected an easy cruise to ninth or tenth. I did not expect this. Ups and downs happen to every team over thirty eight games.”
Leeds now face a significant test at the Etihad. The odds are against them but the opportunity is meaningful. A strong performance could offer momentum clarity and renewed belief. With Farke assuming responsibility and maintaining unity, Leeds approach Manchester City aware of the scale of the challenge but equally aware of what a resilient response could mean for their season. And a possibility that Daniel Farke remains Leeds United manager.