As many as six Leeds United players could be ruled out of Monday's visit to Manchester United
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
05:00, 11 Apr 2026
Sebastiaan Bornauw featured against Manchester United back in January's 1-1 draw at Elland Road
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Sebastiaan Bornauw featured against Manchester United back in January's 1-1 draw at Elland Road(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Predicting the Leeds United line-up for Monday’s clash with Manchester United is anyone's guess with it unclear who will and will not return to fitness in time for kick-off.
The hope is that Noah Okafor (back), Gabriel Gudmundsson (groin) and Jaka Bijol (unspecified knock) all return to training and are fine to feature. But for now, we have to presume the worst case scenario and that all three are absent.
All the while, it is certain that Anton Stach (ankle), Joe Rodon (also ankle) and Daniel James (adductor) will miss the trip to Old Trafford, which could leave the team very stretched. It is unlikely Daniel Farke changes his formation away from home against a top three side.
Karl Darlow is set to come back in as the number one choice despite Lucas Perri’s FA Cup heroics, with familiarity needed amid a swathe of changes.
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Should Bijol be ruled out then Sebastiaan Bornauw will come in. There is a possibility Ethan Ampadu moves into the back line alongside Sunday’s winning-penalty-taker Pascal Struijk, with Rodon also absent.
Jayden Bogle would be fielded on the right flank with James Justin on the left. The midfield could see Ilia Gruev and Sean Longstaff - who has experience against Manchester United during his days at Newcastle United - sit centrally with Brenden Aaronson deployed.
Many might wish to see Ao Tanaka start but Farke has admitted that the midfielder has been involved in a few goals that have been conceded, albeit has impressed during training and against West Ham. Aaronson also provides the ground coverage that might be required.
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The injury situation might mean that Lukas Nmecha starts as the left-winger-cum-supporting-striker that will inevitably drop back into a 5-4-1 formation when out of possession. Dominic Calvert-Lewin will lead the line, having been benched as a precaution against West Ham.
Ultimately, a lot will depend on who is available, and there is every chance the likes of Tanaka or Wilfried Gnonto start ahead of those named below. The ambiguity does mean, though, that Michael Carrick might not know what to expect either.
Predicted XI: Darlow; Bogle, Bornauw, Ampadu, Struijk, Justin; Gruev, Longstaff, Aaronson; Nmecha, Calvert-Lewin.