Leeds United get their pre-season underway against Manchester United on Saturday and might have confirmed the squad numbers of their four new signings.
Though there’s plenty of work left to do, it’s been a busy summer transfer window so far for Leeds United.
Daniel Farke is aiming to get his squad ready for the Premier League and has considerably strengthened his defence with the additions of Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Lukas Nmecha has been recruited to add more firepower, while Sean Longstaff was finally signed on Friday to bolster the midfield.
Leeds fans will get their first look at the five new recruits in action on Saturday when the Whites take on foes Manchester United in a not-so-friendly.
Leeds will take on Man Utd in the Premier League on January 3 in a highly anticipated match, but first face them at the Strawberry Field in Stockholm, Sweden.
Farke has named a strong but new-look starting XI for the game, lining up in an apparent 4-3-3 formation with Bijol and Nmecha in from the off alongside the returning Jack Harrison.
Gudmundsson, Longstaff and Bornauw, meanwhile, are on the bench but are likely to get minutes in the second half.
However, the teamsheet has still suggested what their new squad numbers are.
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Potential squad numbers for Bijol, Gudmundsson, Nmecha and Bornauw
Though Leeds have had their new players signed for weeks, they have yet to officially announce what their squad numbers will be for the new season.
Longstaff, Nmecha and Bornauw’s numbers were accidentally revealed in a YouTube video, but wearing them in action is a clearer indicator.
Here’s what the shirts the five new signings are wearing for the game:
- Gabriel Gudmundsson: 3
- Jaka Bijol: 15
- Sebastiaan Bornauw: 23
- Lukas Nmecha: 14
- Sean Longstaff: 8
It’s important to note that while the numbers the players are wearing could end up being their official digits for the 2025-26 season, they have not yet been confirmed for definite and could still change.
So, wait for confirmation if you fancy getting a new signing’s name printed on the back of your new Leeds shirts.
With his old No.11 and No.22 now taken, Harrison has been assigned No.38 on his first appearance for more than two years.
Leeds United starting XI vs Manchester United
Leeds look like they want to go out and get the win against their fierce rivals, with Farke naming nearly as strong a side as possible, though a completely different team could be named for the second half.
The biggest shock is that Harrison is starting, even though Leeds may look to sell him for PSR profit this summer.
Bijol starts alongside Joe Rodon in defence, Sam Byram and Jayden Bogle are at full-back, with the back-line in front of Karl Darlow, who has just helped Leeds sign Longstaff.
Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev and Ao Tanaka make up the midfield, while Harrison and Willy Gnonto support Nmecha up front.
Leeds are without Patrick Bamford, Joe Gelhardt, Mateo Joseph, Brenden Aaronson, Isaac Schmidt, Sam Greenwood, James Debayo and Darko Gyabi.
Ruben Amorim, meanwhile, has selected a strong side, handing debuts to Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon.
The Man U starting XI reads: Bayindir; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Leon, Shaw; Collyer, Casemiro; Amad, Fernandes, Obi; Cunha.
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