Kyle Newbould: Three takeaways from Leeds United’s shootout loss to Man Utd

Leeds United were denied pre-season silverware against Manchester United in Dublin.

Joshua Zirkzee scored on 15 minutes after rash defending by Jaka Bijol. Daniel James then set up Brenden Aaronson to level around the half-hour. With no further goals, Manchester United won 5-4 on penalties, with Harry Wilson and James Justin missing for Leeds. yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk notes these as the key themes.

James Trafford made his first Leeds start, playing 45 minutes. He saved brilliantly from Bryan Mbeumo and passed crisply to the flanks. Aaronson said his quality in training stood out and that Leeds are lucky to have him.

Noah Okafor made his first pre-season appearance at Croke Park after missing the America tour. Sharp on the left, he twice beat his man and showed last season’s one-v-one threat. After only 20 World Cup minutes for Switzerland, the extended break looked wise.

Fitness remains a concern after just one full 90-minute Premier League outing last season. The task now is to get him ready for Nottingham Forest in just over a week.

The attack lifted after the interval when the Swiss joined Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Wilson, Anton Stach and others. Even the equaliser was scruffy, Nmecha miscontrolling a long ball before James teed up Aaronson. The drop-off from first-choice forwards is hard to ignore, and a couple of injuries could leave Daniel Farke’s side short in the final third next season, with just over two weeks of the window left.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

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