BBC pundit says Bielsa decision on Raphinha ‘beggars belief’

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Garth Crooks has told BBC Sport that it beggars belief that Marcelo Bielsa decided to leave Raphinha out of the starting lineup for Leeds United’s clash with Manchester United on Sunday.

The Whites had a big point to prove. They are yet to beat their big rivals since their return to the Premier League. And they went into the weekend off the back of an embarrassing performance at Everton.

Interestingly, Bielsa took Raphinha off at half-time at Goodison Park. The Brazilian had little joy during the first 45 minutes. But he was certainly not the only one to struggle.

Nevertheless, Bielsa sprung a big surprise on Sunday. He decided to leave Raphinha on the bench, with Daniel James moving out to the wing.

Ultimately, it proved to be an agonising result for Leeds. They were 2-0 down at the break. And they went on to lose 4-2 after coming back at the start of the second-half.

One of the players to make an impact in that crazy 80-second period was Raphinha. The winger scored the equaliser, sliding in at the back post.

Leeds were not able to capitalise. And Crooks has suggested that Bielsa has to take a large portion of the blame for leaving Raphinha on the bench.

“I have very little time for any manager, especially with limited resources, who leaves their most talented player on the bench against a top-class side and still expects to get something out of the game,” he told BBC Sport.

“In the first half, Leeds were like lambs to the slaughter playing Manchester United. How you leave Raphinha on the sidelines against a team like United beggars belief.”

Leeds did not lose because Bielsa left Raphinha on the bench initially

Of course, it was a huge gamble to leave Raphinha out. But he had been poor for the last three games. And Leeds did threaten to get on the scoresheet in the first-half.

Jack Harrison had an early opportunity. Adam Forshaw forced David De Gea into a decent save. And Mateusz Klich had several attempts.

Obviously, Raphinha proved a point by scoring Leeds’ second. But the call to leave him was not necessarily decisive.

Leeds made big mistakes in the build-up to each goal the visitors scored. Without those, it was surely more likely to be a different story than if Raphinha had started.