Leeds United suffered a 2-0 loss to Manchester United on Wednesday evening in Oslo in what was our first pre-season friendly this summer – and here are our player ratings, as Daniel Farke watched from the dugout.
Leeds player ratings from 2-0 loss against Manchester United:
Kris Klaesson – 6 (45, replaced by van den Heuvel)
Klaesson impressed, a wonderful save on 11 minutes as Hannibal given golden chance. Poor pass into Darko Gyabi, Manchester United should have scored on 22 mins. Up and down from the Norwegian stopper, not squeaky clean.
Cody Drameh – 8
Brilliant option on the right and found himself some space, linking up well with Mullen. Solid block to stop Amad Diallo breaking on 20 minutes. Caught out of position a couple of times too high, but worked hard to get back.
Jeremiah Mullen – 5 (45, replaced by Ayling)
Looked nervous when in possession. Defensive positioning fine, almost allowed Mason Mount to score from all of 40 yards with a chip. Took a while to calm. Good block on 22 mins after a poor Klaesson pass. Long way to go.
Liam Cooper – 4 (45, replaced by Struijk)
The skipper gave the ball away in quick succession around 22 minutes. Possession never his forte and that showed in Oslo, looked rusty. With Max Wober staying, Cooper did little to suggest he should start. Late on Mount on 42.
Leo Hjelde – 7 (45, replaced by Moore)
Excellent block from a Mason Mount pass inside 10 minutes. Nice dart into midfield on 32 minutes and almost struck a one-two with Greenwood to put him on goal. Did plenty to show Farke he can be relied up on the left.
Darko Gyabi – 8 (45, replaced by Gray)
Some gorgeous moments of play in midfield. Receiving a short pass from Sinisterra inside on 24 minutes, he drove forward and fed Poveda. Exciting. Good tackle on Wan-Bissaka on 28. A bit of everything from £5m sensation.
Jamie Shackleton – 5 (45, replaced by Bate)
Struggled to remember a moment in which Shackleton actually touched the ball inside the first 20 minutes. Worked hard to keep Mason Mount quiet, but rarely got on the ball. Solid without doing anything really to impress Farke.
Ian Poveda – 6 (45, replaced by James)
Couple of nice touches, had a chance to score after a good break by Rutter and Sinisterra but failed to convert, on 19 minutes. Good cross into Rutter on 25 minutes. Drifted nicely when Leeds in possession, often unmarked.
Sam Greenwood – 5 (45, replaced by Gelhardt)
Did very little. It is a big pre-season for Greenwood to establish himself as the club’s no.10 following the loan exit of Brenden Aaronson. He lost possession numerous times in the first half. Not strong enough with a man behind him.
Luis Sinisterra – 7 (45, replaced by Joseph)
No sign that he was lacking any effort. Made a number of tackles on the left flank and was certainly more involved than his fellow winger, Poveda. Kept ball well under pressure in own half on 38 mins. Clearly, a class above in attack.
Georginio Rutter – 7 (45, replaced by Bamford)
Started a lovely counter attack on 19 minutes, worked hard up top. Lovely pass into Sinisterra on 30, and almost found Sam Greenwood for opener. A solid 45 minutes for Rutter, even if he is likely to play out wide this season.
Notable substitute displays:
Pascal Struijk – 4
Was to blame for Manchester United’s goal, winning the ball back but over-exuberance saw him step out of defence after a heavy touch and the Reds were played in. Another example why Struijk is not good enough at centre-back.
Dan James – 6
Against his old side, having returned to Leeds on Monday before flying out to Oslo. Looked a little as though he was still playing catch-up but you would imagine the Wales star to have a real impact this season, for the Yorkshire side.
Archie Gray – 7
For those who have watched Gray’s form with the 21’s, and last season’s summer trip to Australia – Gray is a very aggressive player. Loves a tackle. He did so on Wednesday again. He is completely Leeds, a real star in the making.
Kris Moore – 7
Probably the pick of the four centre-backs to play, over Mullen, Cooper and Struijk. Excellent on the ball, including a run on 54 mins that saw him go past numerous Manchester United players. Picked over Diogo Monteiro, interesting.
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