Leeds United’s win at Manchester United did more than move them clear of danger, it strengthened a growing case that Ao Tanaka must now start every game.
Leeds secured a huge 2-1 victory at Old Trafford on Monday night, their first league win there since 1981. Noah Okafor’s brace put Daniel Farke’s side in control, and despite late pressure, they held on for three points that now move them six clear of the relegation zone.
It was a result built on discipline and structure, and once again, Ao Tanaka was in the starting line-up as Leeds got the job done. The Japan star was incredibly unlucky not to score a goal himself.
The Ao Tanaka stat Daniel Farke can no longer ignore
Leeds United have now won 30 of the 49 matches Tanaka has started for the club. That is a 61.2% win ratio, the best of any player in Leeds’ history. They have lost six of those games, a remarkably low 12.2%.
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Jonny Cooper reported these numbers on X. They point to a clear trend. When he starts, Leeds win more often than they do without him. Yes, most of those wins came in the Championship, but the top tier, too.
This is not about style or perception. It is about outcomes. Over a sample size of 49 matches, the data is strong enough to demand attention. Leeds win more games when Tanaka starts, simple as that.
Old Trafford result underlines the pattern with Tanaka starting
At Old Trafford, Leeds were sharp from the start. Okafor’s two goals gave them a 2-0 lead at the break, and their midfield structure allowed them to control the tempo in the first half. He played his part in that.
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He started in midfield and was on the pitch for 74 minutes, helping Leeds establish the platform they needed. By the time he was substituted, Leeds were still ahead and in a position to see the game out.
Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League
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This is where the wider stat becomes relevant. Tanaka does not need to dominate headlines to influence results. The numbers show that when he is trusted from the start, Leeds are more effective as a team.
A stop-start season but signs of a strong finish for Tanaka
This has not been a straightforward campaign for Tanaka. He has made 21 Premier League appearances, scoring two goals, but has not been a consistent starter across the season. His total of 837 league minutes underlines that lack of rhythm.
He has had to wait for opportunities rather than holding down a guaranteed place in the side. However, there are now clear signs that his influence is building at the right time.
He scored in the recent FA Cup win over West Ham which saw Leeds go into the FA Cup semi-finals, a chaotic but important result, and followed that with a start in one of Leeds’ biggest wins of the season.
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Back-to-back contributions, both in terms of output and selection, suggest momentum is shifting.
Leeds are entering the most important stretch of their campaign. With survival on the line, consistency in selection becomes crucial, and Tanaka’s record offers something few others in the squad can match.
Ao Tanaka’s numbers demand a decision from Daniel Farke
Leeds are six points clear of the bottom three, but the job is not done. Every selection choice from here carries weight. Tanaka’s record is no longer a small-sample quirk.
Across 49 starts, Leeds have been more likely to win and far less likely to lose when he is in the side. That is evidence, not opinion. Farke now has a clear decision to make.
Rotate and risk disrupting that trend, or lean into the data and give Tanaka the platform to finish the season strongly. Leeds do not just play differently with Ao Tanaka. They win more.
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