Leeds United first-half player ratings from their first friendly of pre-season against Manchester United.
It was a new-look Leeds United starting XI for the first half against Manchester United, with manager Daniel Farke lining his side up in a dynamic 4-3-3 rather than his typical 4-2-3-1.
There were also debuts from the off for summer signings Lukas Nmecha and Jaka Bijol, with Sean Longstaff, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Gabriel Gudmundsson forced to wait for the second half.
Leeds looked sharp and positive on their return to action and were much the better team for the first half an hour, as they played the ball around nicely and competed for it as if the game wasn’t a friendly.
Man Utd finally started to get a foothold and create some chances 30 minutes in, with Matheus Cunha and Amd proving to be tricky customers. But Leeds held firm to end an entertaining half level.
With a completely different team expected for the second 45, here are your first-half ratings.
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Karl Darlow – 6
Given next to nothing to do until the half hour mark, when he was forced into a stretching save and then took out Bogle to clear a loose ball. There was no going easy.
Jayden Bogle – 7
Took three minutes before he burst down Man U’s left flank and created a great chance for Nmecha. There doesn’t appear to be any rust on him. Applied himself well against the skilful Cunha.
Joe Rodon – 7
Picked up where he left off last season with some towering headers when Man U tried throwing the ball into the box.
Jaka Bijol – 6
Composed on the ball in his debut but Man U tended to have a bit of joy in his half of the box.
Sam Byram – 7
Committed a couple of needless fouls on Amad, perhaps fearful of his blistering pace in the Swedish sunshine. But he did get the better of him, forcing the winger to switch flanks.
Ethan Ampadu – 6
Back into the midfield and looks comfortable in a solo sitting position rather than as one half of a double pivot. Protected the defence and moved the ball on to his fellow midfielders nicely.
Ilia Gruev – 6
A mixed bag on the pressing front, winning some good tackles and being slow to others. Looked at home on the left of a 4-3-3 but saw little of the ball.
Ao Tanaka – 7.5
Hardly missed a beat after his holidays, with some really snappy and accurate distribution. Looks to really suit a more expansive role on the right of a midfield three, with freedom to charge up and down and link up with the attackers.
Some lovely play with Ampadu and Gnonto and he appeared to be at the heart of every Leeds attack, with the right flank really dangerous.
Willy Gnonto – 8
Dived to win a foul, which is class commitment in a friendly, but his piece of play before that was tidy as well, as he linked with Rodon and Tanaka. Willy Gnonto came to show off his skill and enjoyed tricking his opponents, with his interplay with Tanaka looking really strong throughout.
Lukas Nmecha – 7
Couldn’t get his head to Bogle’s cross early on for a great chance for an early debut goal. However, it was a promising start for the German, who showed some classy touches, brought others into play well and gave Matthijs de Ligt a tough time while leading the line.
Jack Harrison – 5
Harrison was not given a warm welcome by Leeds fans in Sweden in his first appearance in over two years. He worked hard on the left flank, but didn’t do much to win those annoyed supporters over.
There was little threat from the left and his crosses did not find teammates.
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