Marcelo Bielsa delivers injury update on Leeds trio ahead of Manchester United clash

By Will Butcher

Marcelo Bielsa has told his pre-Man United press conference – as per Leeds Live – that his Leeds side will be without the services of both Raphinha and Rodrigo on Sunday afternoon, and delivered another Adam Forshaw blow.

Leeds will be looking to get revenge on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side this weekend having been battered by their bitter rivals 6-2 at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture. Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas got the goals for Leeds.

However, this time around, Leeds have been in much better form. The Whites have gone unbeaten in their last five league games – beating Manchester City, Sheffield United and Fulham, while drawing with Liverpool and Chelsea.

Facing a fourth top-six side in six games in the form of United, Leeds are up against it with Solskjaer’s men favourites – and Bielsa has delivered a blow for Leeds with Raphinha and Rodrigo to miss the match.

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“With Raphinha, we are controlling his evolution on a daily basis. Until now he hasn’t recovered sufficiently to be able to train,” Bielsa said. “Rodrigo is in the last stages of his recovery but not well enough to feature this weekend.”

Bielsa then delivered a blow for Forshaw, who limped off after 83 minutes of the 23’s win over Villa: “He picked up a muscular injury in that last game and this will keep him out for an undefined period of time.”

TBR’s view – Leeds blow, but United might field weakened side

With United pretty much sorted when it comes to a top-four spot – sitting seven points clear of third-placed Leicester City – Solskjaer will be tempted to field a slightly weakened side ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final.

The league is almost nearly over for United. Wins in two or three of their remaining six matches will surely guarantee second spot – with first out of reach. So, the Europa League might be given slight preference from now on in.

It might see Solskjaer field a slightly weaker side against Leeds – softening the blow of losing Raphinha and Rodrigo.

 (Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images)