How Leeds could line-up in Man United pre-season friendly, no senior ‘keeper as seven U21s start

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Daniel Farke will take charge of his first friendly as manager of Leeds United on Wednesday as they take on old rivals Manchester United.

The game, which is set to take place at the Ullevaal Stadion in the Norwegian capital Oslo, is Leeds‘ first pre-season match of the summer ahead of the new season.

Farke was only appointed as Leeds boss on Tuesday earlier this week and therefore will have had less than a week to prepare his side for the game against Man United.

The first group of players who have reported back to Thorp Arch also has a very youthful look to it, with Leeds’ international players not due back until July 10, meaning they won’t be available for this fixture.

So, with that in mind, here is a look at how Leeds could line-up against Erik ten Hag’s side.

Goalkeeper

Leeds are without any of last season’s three first-choice goalkeepers, with Illan Meslier and Kristoffer Klaesson not due back until Monday, and Joel Robles not yet having accepted the club’s invite back for pre-season.

It is unlikely Farke throws either Meslier or Klaesson straight into the game on Wednesday and so that leaves Dani van den Heuvel as Leeds’ most experienced option, though he has been on the bench just once for the first team while being at the club.

Defence

Leeds will also be without a number of first team players in defence, though the back four is likely to have a much more familiar look to it than any other position.

Junior Firpo has already been ruled out, Diego Llorente is set to join Roma, while Rasmus Kristensen, Charlie Cresswell and Max Wober are not due back until July 10.

Cody Drameh could finally get his chance to impress at right back, with Luke Ayling needing to fill in at centre back alongside Liam Cooper.

Again, Leeds are still without a recognised left back meaning Pascal Struijk is likely to have to fill in there once again despite his struggles last season.

Midfield

Providing Farke goes with his favoured 4-2-3-1 as expected, Leeds’ midfield is set to have an exciting, if not youthful look to it.

Like Firpo, Marc Roca will not be risked against Man United, while Tyler Adams is continuing to work his way back to full fitness following that hamstring injury he picked up last season.

Lewis Bate and Jamie Shackleton are back among Leeds’ options in central midfield after loan spells at Oxford United and Millwall respectively, but with their futures again uncertain, they are more likely to be on the bench.

Instead, a midfield two of Darko Gyabi and Archie Gray feels the most likely, both of whom Leeds could push into first team roles this season.

Attack

Despite being back at Thorp Arch, Luis Sinisterra and Jack Harrison are not likely to feature as they continue their recovery from injury alongside Adams.

With Willy Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville and Dan James also not due back until July 10, Leeds are looking extremely light in their options out wide.

Georginio Rutter is expected to be used in a wide role under Farke this season and so is set to start on the right, with Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood making up the other two spots in the three behind the striker.

Providing he has recovered from his late season hamstring injury, Patrick Bamford could lead the line, though Mateo Joseph and Sonny Perkins will both be hoping for a chance if he is not available.

Potential Leeds XI (4-2-3-1): Van den Heuvel; Drameh, Ayling, Cooper, Struijk; Gyabi, Gray; Rutter, Gelhardt, Greenwood, Bamford.