Every word Marcelo Bielsa said on Bamford struggle, state of Man United in Leeds press briefing - Leeds Live 18/2/22

Leeds United face arch-rivals Manchester United in this weekend's Premier League fixture at a sold-out Elland Road

Joe Donnohue

Manchester United are this weekend's visitors to Elland Road as Leeds United look to claim a timely victory over their arch-rivals for the first time since returning to the top flight in 2020.

The Whites have faced the Mancunian club three times since promotion, losing heavily twice at Old Trafford, whilst holding them to a 0-0 draw at Elland Road towards the end of last season.

Leeds are hoping to right the wrongs of a 5-1 opening day defeat against Manchester United at the beginning of this campaign, however Ralf Rangnick's side are unbeaten in six Premier League matches.

Marcelo Bielsa was asked about the Whites' fiercest rivals in this morning's press conference, as he discussed injuries, Rangnick's changes and what an occasion like Sunday means to the supporters, amongst other things.

Here is every word the manager had to say in his pre-match press conference.

Is this weekend the perfect game to give the whole club a lift if you can get three points?

A classic game is always a challenge that is very motivating.

After all the injury problems how big an achievement would it be just to keep Leeds in the PL this season?

It's an obligation and the injuries don't justify the season that we're having.

Can you provide any clarity on whether you will sign a new contract at the end of the season?

It's not a subject which we should talk about in this moment.

Dallas and Hjelde picked up injuries last week and how's Kalvin's progress?

Kalvin and Cooper continue their normal processes. The objective is that they get to March available. The medical calculation was 12 weeks and that hasn't changed. Dallas is recovering, he hasn't been discarded from Sunday's game. Hjelde has an injury in his knee, and if the process of the next three weeks is effective he would be available in that term. But it could happen that he may not recover in those 20 days which would result in him having to have a surgery.

Tyler Roberts has come under a lot of criticism and so has your use of him last week - what would you say to those who are criticising Tyler and the use of him? Is there something people are missing that you are seeing?

I see the same things that the fans do. I think what they ask of him is always justified, what they're claiming. They are based on evaluating a player that plays, and giving him a qualification. If the qualification is not positive, to demand another option, that happened with Bamford, that happened with James, with Rodrigo in his moment and now with Tyler, so I have to admit or accept the claims. Of course I'm always subject to the external evaluation and also have auto-criticism, but evidently it's not sufficient and it's necessary that I take on more responsibility than I did before. I don't imagine how to do it.

Jeremiah Mullen has been with the first-team a bit, what are the attributes of a player not too many people know about?

Mullen is a player who is within the cycle of the U23s.

You know the importance of this game but it's the first one with fans in the Premier League inside Elland Road against Manchester United. What would you expect from the fans, what would you like from them?

It's not what I would like, but it's what I give always. They always support the team unconditionally, it's difficult to imagine a support better or bigger than the one we've already received. The presence of a classic opponent increases the enthusiasm, it's going to be precious to be able to witness it. And of course we think more of what we need to give to the public than what we need to receive from them.

How does this fixture compare to other games you've managed in now that you know about the history?

It's very difficult to establish those comparisons, it's all about the times, when the game is played, different opponents.

And what do you make of the state Manchester United are currently in?

To evaluate the opponent I don't think is convenient, it's more about us and how we will fare against them.

39 points to survive in the PL last season - do you think it'll take a similar number this season?

I haven't looked at that kind of data yet.

Dan James is a former Man United player, how do you think he's done in recent weeks?

Like the team he's had some good moments and some not so good. There was three games moreover than the results where the team showed a good level and in the last game that level dropped.

Has Patrick Bamford's pain subsided?

No, he continues with the same problem.

Do you plan to address the players for the atmosphere they should expect vs Man U or do you leave it up to their peers like Kalvin to educate them?

The players in general are imagining the type of game they're going to come up against.

Going into this game you've suffered two heavy defeats to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, what have you made of Ralf Rangnick's high-pressing approach so far - has it been successful?

Yes, there's differences between the styles and this comment you make about the high-press is what stands out the most.

Are you tempted to rotate your personnel in the midfield to establish some more control this weekend, someone like Stuart Dallas or Adam Forshaw?

No, I haven't yet decided the formation.

Do you feel more pain in the defeats to Man United because of what they mean to supporters, or do you feel them all in the same way?

No, the defeats against those classic opponents are not the same like the others