Leeds United inched closer to securing their Premier League survival with a phenomenal 2-1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday night.
It was the club's first win at Old Trafford since 1981, which is another feather in Daniel Farke's cap, and the three points taken mean that the Whites are now six points clear of the drop.
The German head coach is on course to lead Leeds to Premier League survival and an FA Cup semi-final, at worst, in his first season in the top-flight with the club.
daniel-farke-leeds
Farke has had his critics during his time at Elland Road, even after winning 100 points in the Championship last season, but he deserves huge credit for the job that he has done in West Yorkshire.
The former Norwich City tactician deserves credit, in particular, for the way that he approached the game against Michael Carrick's men on Monday night.
How Daniel Farke's Leeds tactics beat Manchester United
Without Anton Stach and Joe Rodon due to injury, Farke could have gone for the reserved and cautious approach away at Manchester United, but that is not what he did.
The German boss went with an attacking line-up, playing Ao Tanaka in midfield and a front three of Brenden Aaronson, Noah Okafor, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and his team were on the front foot for the majority of the first half.
Okafor's two goals gave the Whites the lead that they carried through to full-time, but there were several chances for Calvert-Lewin and Tanaka that could have extended the lead and put the game out of sight before half-time.
okafor-leeds-man-united
Farke's approach to go and attack the game ultimately won the game for Leeds because they scored twice in the first 30 minutes and United were unable to recover from that fast start.
Okafor, of course, played a key role in that first start by applying the finish to both goals, scoring from Jayden Bogle's cross and earning a fortunate deflection off Leny Yoro for the second goal.
Better than Okafor: The Leeds United star who is now undroppable
Whilst the Switzerland international's goals won the match for the Whites, there was a Leeds star who was even better than Okafor at Old Trafford for Farke's side.
noah-okafor-leeds-man-united
Tanaka was given the nod ahead of what would have been the safer option for Farke in Longstaff, and produced a magnificent display in the middle of the park.
In a midfield battle that boasted the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Champions League-winning star Casemiro, the Japan international was the best player on the park on Monday night.
ao-tanaka-leeds
Tanaka was even better than Okafor, who did not create any chances for his teammates and lost five of his six duels, as he caught the eye as a midfield monster all over the pitch.
Whilst the winger had two great moments, for the two goals, the central midfielder's all-round play was far more impressive for Leeds, which is why he should be considered to be undroppable moving forward.
Vs Man United Ao Tanaka
Minutes 74
Key passes 4
xA 0.47
Crosses completed 6/6
Dribbles completed 1/1
Ground duels won 3/4
Interceptions 2
Blocks 1
Dribbled past 0x
The Japanese star stuffed the stats sheet with an all-action performance in and out of possession, producing efficient play defensively in his duels, whilst also being incredibly creative with the ball at his feet.
Tanaka was also incredibly unfortunate not to get his name on the scoresheet when he dribbled past Senne Lammens brilliantly before having his effort tackled off the line by Lisandro Martinez.
The 27-year-old star was fresh off the back of scoring a sublime goal against West Ham United in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, but he was unable to add to his tally for the season.
Tanaka finally showed why he was so important to the club's promotion in the Championship last season, flexing his tenacious defensive work and technical excellence, after a difficult first season in the Premier League.
The Japanese star has only started eight league games for the club this term, but he should rack up more starts in the last six games of the campaign after his exceptional display at Old Trafford.
Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates scoring their second goal-1 Related
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