Leeds United v Real Betis Pre-Season Friendly 31/07/2021. Leeds United forward Raphinha 10 in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Leeds United and Real Betis at Elland Road, Leeds, England on 31 July 2021. Leeds Elland Road West Yorkshire England Editorial use only DataCo restrictions apply See www.football-dataco.com PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK , Copyright: xMalcolmxBrycex PSI-13148-0167
Leeds United begin the 2021-22 Premier League campaign with a trip to rivals Manchester United on Saturday. The Whites have played six friendlies before the start of the season, with their last one coming against Villarreal, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
In their last encounter with Manchester United at Old Trafford, Leeds were outclassed by the Red Devils who won the open and exciting game 6-2. Marcelo Bielsa’s men will look to put in a much better performance this time around. With the excellent season that they had last season, they could run Manchester United much closer.
Let’s take a look at the possible Leeds United lineup for the game against Manchester United.
Early Team News
Two of Leeds United’s first-choice defenders were doubts heading into the fixture.
Centre-back Diego Llorente suffered an injury in the friendly against Real Betis and missed two subsequent friendlies and remains out. Summer signing Junior Firpo also suffered a knock but Bielsa passed him fit in his pre-match press conference.
Young midfielder Jamie Shackleton is also available.
Kalvin Phillips returned to training recently two weeks ago and featured for half the game against Villarreal – the final pre-season friendly.
Illan Meslier will continue as Leeds’ first-choice ‘keeper and has new competition in the form of summer signing Kristoffer Klaesson.
Captain Liam Cooper will lead the side and the Leeds defence on Saturday. It will be interesting to see who lines up beside him at Old Trafford. With Diego Llorente absent, one of Robin Koch or Pascal Struijk should play alongside Cooper.
But, the defence will also depend on Phillips’ fitness as Koch could move into defensive midfield if the Englishman is not ready.
Firpo has been signed to be the Whites’ main left-back. But Bielsa will not like to rush his new signing immediately after a knock. Stuart Dallas should start as the left-sided full-back, while Luke Ayling should start on the opposite side in the Leeds United lineup.
Bielsa’s style of play requires his players to be supremely fit and at their peak fitness levels which is why he could use Kalvin Phillips off the bench or play him for just 60 minutes. If Phillips is not selected, Koch should step into the defensive midfield role.
It’s more straightforward in the central midfield positions as Mateusz Klich should start in midfield, while Rodrigo or Tyler Roberts will play alongside him in the Leeds United lineup.
Patrick Bamford will lead the Leeds United lineup with Raphinha starting on the right and Jack Harrison starting on the left.
Helder Costa will be an option off the bench for Bielsa.
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