How injury-ravaged Leeds United should line up against fellow promotion hopefuls Sunderland

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


No Ilia Gruev. No Ethan Ampadu. No Daniel James. No Manor Solomon. No Max Wober. Leeds United's mounting injury list is certainly complicating Daniel Farke's job right now.

Tonight the Whites conclude the most challenging week of the early part of the 2024/25 season with a trip to Championship leaders Sunderland. It is a heavyweight clash and United's third outing in seven days.

But the fixture offers the Whites he chance to go level on points with the Black Cats at the top of the table. Sunderland have won every single match at the Stadium of Light this term.

On the intense schedule, Farke said: "It is always a tricky period but I am used to it. Of course you have to adapt a little bit to the situation and that is why we opt to share the minutes a little bit when you have these three games.

"If we just played with the same 11 players then it would sent out the wrong sign to all of the players because we do need them [non-regular starters]. When you have more injuries you monitor the players even more.

“For example the wingers, with Daniel James and Manor Solomon – two really important players for us – not available you want to make sure players like Willy Gnonto and (Largie) Ramazani are ready to start three games within six days. Normally you would mix it up a bit.

“To make sure they can start all three games and deliver you speak a lot with the medical department about how we can support their recovery, their nutrition, their good habits, their sleep. It's important.

“We get advice when their workload drops down during a game and they seem to get tired. We can't afford another injury.”

Losing Gruev is a huge blow to their promotion aspirations. The Bulgarian international has been a first team regular this calendar year, providing United's defence with an extra layer of protection in the No 6 position. With Gruev and club captain Ethan Ampadu facing lengthy spells on the sidelines, it leaves Farke low on options in the centre. Bournemouth loanee Joe Rothwell is set to make his first league start and play alongside Ao Tanaka in the middle of the park.

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Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff feels midfield is now a "real area of concern" for United. “Obviously, they lost [Glen] Kamara in the summer, Archie Gray as well, so maybe that’s the one area where you look at that squad and feel if they were to get one or two [injuries], which they’ve got now, they’re gonna really be stretched," he said. "Really interesting to see how that plays out in the coming weeks.”

Despite the manic schedule, it is unlikely Farke will make any changes to his back four. United have only shipped in two goals since their 3-3 draw with Portsmouth on the opening weekend.

Wilfried Gnonto and Largie Ramazani combined superbly for the equaliser at Norwich City. The pair have been in good form and deserve to keep their places on the flanks.

It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Farke could hand a recall to Joel Piroe. Farke has deployed the Dutchman in the No 10 role and up front during his United tenure.

Should Piroe come in for Brenden Aaronson or Mateo Joseph? Not yet.

Aaronson has started to win over his critics with a number of enterprising performances in support of lone striker Joseph, who has directly contributed to four goals. The striker would dearly love to celebrate his latest Spanish Under-21 call-up by getting on the scoresheet for the first time since August 31 this evening.

Predicted United line-up vs Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Tanaka, Rothwell; Gnonto, Aaronson, Ramazani; Joseph.