Leeds United travel across the Pennines this Monday looking for a big result against Manchester United to further boost our survival hopes.
United’s survival bid comes back into focus this weekend with Leeds having a tough trip away to Manchester United on the cards on Monday night.
Daniel Farke will know the task at hand with all three of our relegation rivals in action before we play next week.
Leeds United team news confirmed pre-Man United: Three ruled out, three doubts
Farke’s pre-match press conference brought a truly brutal injury update regarding six players following the FA Cup win over West Ham.
Confirmed as ruled out are Anton Stach and Joe Rodon with ankle ligament issues that may see them missing until May, plus Dan James after an adductor strain.
Three players are doubts for the game too. Noah Okafor and Jaka Bijol have missed training this week with minor setbacks, while Gabriel Gudmundsson returned to training, but Farke couldn’t commit on the Swede being fit to feature.
Here, I predict the Leeds lineup I’m expecting Farke to name at Old Trafford…
Goalkeeper: Karl Darlow
Lucas Perri’s heroics in the FA Cup deserve immense praise, and it’s great to see his confidence back. That said, I think Karl Darlow returns to the sticks.
The Welshman has cemented his place as the first choice ‘keeper in the Premier League, and while the shot-stopping of our two options is hard to separate, you cannot discount the air of calm that Darlow naturally exudes.
Darlow just doesn’t give you that feeling that he’s due a howling mistake at any moment. Even in Perri’s best game since joining us at West Ham, he was saved by the offside flag from a baffling error in extra-time.
Defence: Jayden Bogle, James Justin, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Pascal Struijk, Gabriel Gudmundsson
In defence, we’re going to see at least one change with Rodon ruled out for the foreseeable. That likely means Sebastiaan Bornauw fills in, as I worry Bijol won’t be fit either.
On the right side of Bornauw, I’m thinking James Justin will fill in as a right-sided centre-back. Incidentally, that’s probably the position that has suited Justin best as a hybrid right-back when we have the ball, connecting very well with Jayden Bogle down the right. That performance against Nottingham Forest in February was marvellous from Justin.
On the left, Pascal Struijk obviously keeps his place on the left side of our centre-back trio, providing the main aerial threat with Bijol and Rodon missing.
At left-wing-back, I have optimism that Farke’s wording on Gabriel Gudmundsson was good news. His return to training after missing the cup game suggests he should be fit. He’ll have had just under two weeks’ rest following the international break
Midfield: Ao Tanaka, Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev
Stach’s absence surely opens the door for Ao Tanaka to take his place as the all-action midfielder that supports the front line.
The Japan midfielder’s high pressing was integral to our strong first hour against the Irons, alongside his typical guile in possession. That could be key to helping Leeds have a bit more thrust in the final third, that we’ve been crying out for.
Elsewhere, given it’s a backs-against-the-wall away performance, I think we’re all expecting Ilia Gruev to get the nod, and it’s fair enough.
Keeping things tight and allowing Tanaka to be the more advanced midfielder provides us with enough balance, as Ethan Ampadu finally gets his crack against the Old Trafford side, after suspension back in January.
Attack: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Brenden Aaronson
Up front, I’m expecting Dominic Calvert-Lewin to come into the starting lineup.
The Leeds striker came off the bench and confidently wrapped home a penalty in open play and in the shootout at the London Stadium to hopefully shake that issue off of his recent goal drought.
Farke noted that his goal for 2-0 last weekend would be a massive boost for him, and I do believe that if Calvert-Lewin starts firing again on all cylinders, that keeps us up.
Supporting Calvert-Lewin, I’m expecting Brenden Aaronson. The American is out of sorts in terms of output, but consistently comes in for praise from Farke for his energy without the ball and ability to carry in transition, which could suit us at Old Trafford.
Like he did at Newcastle away, I’d anticipate Aaronson drifts out to the left and right wings with Tanaka being the midfielder that shuffles up in support when we have the ball, like Stach has done.
Full Leeds United predicted XI to face Man Utd
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