The January signing has not yet started a Premier League game since joining Leeds United
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
11:12, 15 Feb 2026Updated 11:16, 15 Feb 2026
Facundo Buonanotte
View Image
Facundo Buonanotte(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Daniel Farke has decided to hand Facundo Buonanotte his full Leeds United debut in this afternoon's FA Cup fourth round tie against Birmingham City.
The 21-year-old has only made two appearances from the bench across the five games he has been available for since arriving at Elland Road, and was left out of the squad entirely for the win over Nottingham Forest.
Now, Farke believes it is the right time for the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee to play from the start against Championship opposition. It looks like he in midfield in the 4-3-3 role.
The midfield sees Sean Longstaff come into the starting XI for the first time since November with Ao Tanaka also given a start.
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search. Help us stay visible byadding us as a Preferred Source in your search settings.
Brenden Aaronson and Ilia Gruev are rested on the bench while Anton Stach is out nursing his hip flexor setback - an injury which also keeps Pascal Struijk out of today's game.
At the other end of the pitch, Lucas Perri comes back in for his first game since being dropped as number one last month. The back four sees James Justin and Gabriel Gudmundsson keep their places with Sebastiaan Bornauw and Jaka Bijol central.
Wilfried Gnonto is given the nod on the right wing, following his goal against Derby County. On the other flank Noah Okafor makes a start with Lukas Nmecha up top. Both will be looking to score in consecutive games.
XI (4-3-3): Perri; Justin, Bijol, Bornauw, Gudmundsson; Longstaff, Tanaka, Buonanotte; Gnonto, Nmecha, Okafor.
Subs: Darlow, Bogle, Byram, Rodon, Ampadu, Gruev, Aaronson, Piroe, Calvert-Lewin.
Here at LeedsLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the bestLeeds Unitedcoverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest Leeds news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clickinghereto subscribe.
Article continues below
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Clickhereto be sent all the day's biggest stories.