Leeds United risk taker reward, Man Utd hysteria, Tanaka full-time struggle and off-camera moments — YEP 14/4/26
By Graham Smyth
Leeds United’s history boys keep adding to the growing list
of achievements under Daniel Farke and what they did to Manchester United at
Old Trafford will be remembered for years to come.
Manchester United have not taken it very well with strong
complaints about the referee and VAR from their manager, players and ex-players
since full-time. But in stark contrast to the hysteria on that side of the
Pennines, there’s a warm glow over West Yorkshire. Here’s the YEP take on what
transpired on Monday night in Manchester.
Good day
Daniel Farke. He got Leeds up, he's guided them into an FA
Cup semi-final and in ending a 45-year wait for a league win at Old Trafford
he's put the Whites in a great position to keep them up. Farke likes talking
about creating bits of history and in the space of eight days he and his
players have managed it twice. Their first FA Cup semi-final since 1987 and a
first away win in the league against Manchester United is the stuff of dreams -
moments that supporters will remember and relive forever. And it was all so
characteristically Leeds - requiring penalties at West Ham having been two up
and missing chances galore at Old Trafford to keep supporters on their very
last nerve. But those two wins are among the biggest of the German's managerial
career. Right up there at the very top. For that he deserves huge credit. To
beat Manchester United without Anton Stach and Joe Rodon made it all the more
impressive. And he went for it, from the off with his team selection. There was
risk in starting a few of them and they took risks in and out of possession.
The risks paid off, handsomely.
Noah Okafor. If the Swiss winger did nothing else all season
but score those two goals he would still go down in Leeds United folklore as a
hero and his name would still be sung for years to come. Goals at Old Trafford
tend to follow you around - just ask Jermaine Beckford. His finishes were both
excellent - even with the deflection he had controlled the second strike really
well on the volley. Ideally that new song that sprang up and has been doing the
rounds on socials will spread like wildfire at Elland Road on Saturday because
it's one of the best chants in years.
Bad day
Bruno Fernandes. Undoubtedly Manchester United's best
player, he tried to make things happen and grew increasingly frustrated with
his team-mates, the officials, just about everything occurring around him.
Never too far away from the ear of Paul Tierney, Fernandes was left with a
yellow card for dissent and the feeling of defeat. Leading Manchester United
into their first Old Trafford league loss to Leeds in 45 years will sting such
a competitor.
Michael Carrick. He had a point with the complaints about
the officiating but that wasn't why Manchester United lost to Leeds at home.
They coughed up possession and chances left, right and centre. How many times
were players picked off facing their own goal? How many times did they fail to
stop a cross or allow a Leeds attacker to get on the ball in the area? The game
was lost and won in intensity levels. Leeds had the upper hand and deserved
their victory.
Half-and-half scarf wearers. Baffling. Just impossible to
understand the thinking here. Passing over hard-earned cash in order to receive
and then wear a scarf that bears the colours and badge of your bitter rivals,
as well as that of your own club. A stain on the game.
Rio Ferdinand. There appears to be a real mutual dislike
between the former defender and fans of his old club. Losing his mind over the
red card is not likely to mend any bridges but there will be entertainment
value in it for Leeds supporters.
Off-camera
Ethan Ampadu with a cheeky celebration after leaving Alex
Cairns rooted and finishing nicely in the shooting drills segment of the
warm-up. Ampadu had his shooting boots on, producing a few superb finishes.
Jayden Bogle did not have his on.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin stooping down to give a small Leeds
mascot a high five. The delighted youngster also got one from Brenden Aaronson,
James Justin and Joel Piroe.
Ampadu, Calvert-Lewin and Okafor applauding in the direction
of the away end as they took their places for the handshakes.
Daniel Farke telling Noah Okafor to 'think' after a poor
touch ruined an attack. The German then held his thumb aloft as Ampadu went and
pressed, and applauded as his team comfortably defended the hosts' latest move.
A tongue-in-cheek Eirik Bakke asking a Leeds staff member in
the press room what he'd given the Whites players before the game, marvelling
at their energy and belief.
Farke growing increasingly frustrated with his side's
decision making and showing it, as the game became stretched and open with the
hosts down to 10.
Ampadu gesturing for Cunha to get up off the ground after
the Man Utd man went down claiming a stoppage time foul.
Tanaka clearly struggling with some sort of knock after the
game, stretching and then declining to run to the away end with Sean Longstaff.
