Leeds United team news vs Sheffield United as Farke makes big calls on Aaronson and Piroe

-Credit: (Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
-Credit: (Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)


After two weeks of holding his breath, Daniel Farke comes into Leeds United’s Sheffield United clash with not a single change being needed. There had been a highly predictable reverse of Joel Piroe with Mateo Joseph, but the former holds his place and all of the manager’s long-haul concerns have proven they can start tonight.

Brenden Aaronson did not finish playing for the USA until 5.30am in Mexico on Wednesday, but reported back to Thorp Arch yesterday and shown he is good to go again for the Whites. Given how well the team played on Wearside a fortnight ago, Farke would have been keen to make as few changes as possible.

Junior Firpo and Ao Tanaka could not have landed in the UK before the early hours of Wednesday morning after playing in Bermuda and Japan respectively. However, their importance and clean bill of health has kept them in the side too.

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Manor Solomon and Daniel James at least gave Farke the chance to remove Aaronson, but after returning to full training last week, they are held back on the bench. The selection means Firpo and Joe Rodon are the only players still on for starting every match in all competitions this season for Leeds.

As ever, Alex Cairns is with the squad, but remains off the teamsheet. Tonight’s referee against the Blades is Lewis Smith, assisted by Paul Hodskinson, Matthew Smith and John Busby (fourth official).

Leeds United: Illan Meslier; Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Junior Firpo; Joe Rothwell, Ao Tanaka; Wilfried Gnonto, Brenden Aaronson, Largie Ramazani; Joel Piroe.

Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Daniel James, Patrick Bamford, Manor Solomon, Mateo Joseph, Sam Byram, Issac Schmidt, James Debayo, Charlie Crew.