'Incredible' Leeds United asset's good day, captain's orders for youngsters and off-camera Man Utd moments - YEP 13/7/23
Leeds United have kicked their first ball in anger under Daniel Farke, in a 2-0 friendly defeat to Manchester United. The game was a chance for the Whites to reconnect with their vast Scandinavian following and an opportunity for Farke to look at some of his options for the upcoming season.
By Graham Smyth
Of the surprise inclusions on the trip like Ian Poveda,
Junior Firpo and Helder Costa, only Poveda got any minutes. That particular
trio are all expected to move on, at least on loan, this summer but Poveda was
lively in his first half appearance. Firpo was scheduled to have a fitness test
on a niggle, on Wednesday, so his non-appearance in the game spoke for itself.
Costa, like Max Wober, simply returned later than the majority of the squad for
pre-season and those two trained on Wednesday so were not considered for
minutes.
Good day
Luis Sinisterra
For a player who endured such a torrid time through injury
last season, a 45-minute run out less than a week after he returned to full
training was a pleasant surprise. Sinisterra worked hard, too, during the first
half and showed exactly why he would be an incredible asset in the
Championship. He was dangerous, inventive and quick.
Cody Drameh
If judged solely on his right-back performance in the first
half, Drameh was solid. The youngster had a far more difficult second half,
playing on the opposite side where he had to cut inside with the ball. But to
be the only player given a full 90 minutes says something about the
21-year-old. The imminent departure of Rasmus Kristensen opens up the very real
possibility of Drameh staying at Leeds and a new contract must surely be part
of Daniel Farke's current discussions with the Elland Road hierarchy.
Bad day
Sam Greenwood
Nothing would stick for the ex-Arsenal man. Holding the ball
up with his back to the opposition proved difficult on a number of occasions.
Where he will fit into Farke's plans is very much up for debate, given he
hasn't been regarded as a striker for some time and is yet to really nail a
midfield performance. The effort is always there but he needs some impactful
outings to lay down a claim for a place.
Man Utd fans
Sandwiched between a large group of travelling, match-going
Whites, and a large group of Norwegian Whites was a section of Manchester
United supporters. Families mostly. And as the travelling Leeds fans got stuck
into their Manchester United specific song book, there must have been a few
parents regretting their stadium seating plan decisions. If nothing else the
youngsters in red had an authentic English football experience and a taste of
what an atmosphere can be like.
Off-camera moments
Eirik Bakke getting a rousing reception from Leeds fans as
he took to the pitch prior to the game and addressed the crowd.
Daniel Farke spent the first several minutes of the game
watching from the dugout but with Leeds under the cosh he was drawn out to the
edge of his technical area for the first time to start dishing out orders. The
Whites soon started to find alternative routes out of their area and own half.
Liam Cooper barking orders to his midfield, particularly
Darko Gyabi and Sam Greenwood, as Leeds struggled to keep hold of the ball and
found it difficult to progress possession out of their half. Cooper was also
guiding a slightly nervous-looking Jeremiah Mullen through the first half,
constantly in his ear. There were words for Kristoffer Klaesson too, when
distribution from the goalkeeper wasn't to the skipper's liking.
Bamford's anguished plea for a ball over the top as Kris
Moore opted for a different long pass out of the Leeds half. There wasn't much
for Bamford to get his teeth into in his 45 minutes.
Darko Gyabi and Sonny Perkins catching up with one of
Manchester United's youngsters in the dressing room area prior to departure
from Ullevaal Stadion.
