Leeds United take on Manchester United tomorrow in Daniel Farke’s first pre-season fixture, with the German keen to take stock on his squad.
Leeds have been waiting patiently to get their summer business underway, first on the manager front but also now with new signings.
No new faces are to take to the pitch in Oslo tomorrow evening when Leeds take on Manchester United in the first of their pre-season friendlies
The first fixture under a new manager is always bound to bring issues in the shape of the squad and of course fitness in the summer, but there are some players that come into the game knowing their places are seriously under threat from minute one.
Here, we look at two players we think are under pressure at the club from the word go under Farke…
Luke Ayling
There aren’t a great deal of positions in the current squad that have a lot of competition for places, but right-back provides a key one.
Cody Drameh returned from his Luton Town loan victorious in the play-off final, and it wouldn’t have been a shock to see him head with the Hatters to the Premier League, with one year left on his Elland Road deal.
However, he’s here and seemingly fighting for his place, which spells trouble for Luke Ayling, who was a constant presence in the defence that was left disgraced upon relegation last term – just like Rasmus Kristensen was too.
Knowing Drameh is breathing down his neck for that starting spot under Farke, Ayling has a lot of pressure on his shoulders to keep his place.
Liam Cooper
The club captain and man that lifted the Championship trophy back in 2020, Liam Cooper’s performance in a Leeds shirt merits him being a core figure in the side still.
However, there’s only room for one left-sided centre-back in the starting lineup, providing Farke opts for his standard 4-2-3-1 setup.
With that, Cooper will be competing a seemingly very reliable Austrian international for his spot in Max Wöber, as well as Pascal Struijk, who struggled massively in the latter stages of 22/23, but not long ago was in the provisional Netherlands World Cup squad.
Cooper’s leadership is going to be key no matter what as he approaches testimonial territory at Elland Road, but his starting spot is not assured, with Wöber fighting to get Leeds back in the Premier League too.
