Michael Owen has told the Premier League’s coverage of Leeds United’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United that Willy Gnonto has been one of the signings of the season – after scoring Leeds once again on Wednesday at Old Trafford.
Leeds came into the game without Jesse Marsch after sacking the American gaffer on Monday. It saw Michael Skubala head a three-man team in the dugout. The U21 boss was flanked by Chris Armas and Paco Gallardo on the sidelines.
With the Leeds hierarchy working hard to bring in a new manager – Victor Orta and Angus Kinnear were in the stands at Old Trafford – Leeds got off to a perfect start. Gnonto netted his fourth Leeds goal inside a minute at Old Trafford.
Then, in opening moments of the second 45, Gnonto was involved again. His pass freeing Crysencio Summerville and his low cross was deflected past David De Gea to make it 2-0. Manchester United came back to draw the match.
Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho scored goals to level the match. In his post-match analysis, Michael Owen gave his verdict on Gnonto – and he says that the Italy star has been one of the signings of the season, in the Premier League.
“One of the signings of the season, one of the performers of the season. Very direct, quick, very good finish. That ball into Bamford, getting it into a striker’s feet, that is when it is dangerous. Brilliant finish,” Owen said, on Gnonto.
Owen says Leeds star Gnonto has been one of the signings of the season
To have cost Leeds a bargain fee of just £4.5million from Swiss side FC Zurich is quite incredible. He did not start for the first couple of months but came off the bench against Liverpool and immediately showed why he had to play.
Since then, he has not looked back. Whether it is his jinking runs, his unrelenting work rate, his goals – including a Paolo Di Canio-esque finish against Cardiff – or his ability to create, Gnonto is absolutely pivotal to this Leeds side.
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