news-engine

James Trafford offers Leeds United £40m transfer glimpse amid unspoken Noah Okafor attribute vs Man United James Trafford was the stand-out but two other Leeds United players deserve their flowers Analysis on the game will follow below but first we must acknowledge the poignancy of the venue of Leeds United's match against Manchester United last night. Croke Park had not hosted a football - or soccer - game since November 2009 and never a club match. This, therefore, was a first. More than 80,000 packed into the largest amateur sports stadium in Europe and despite being outnumbered, Whites fans made themselves heard. A large section was housed in the Irish-famed Hill 16 section, an all-standing terrace without a roof. The empty stadium was impressive enough but the sell-out crowd made it a sight that will stick in the memory. In the long history of this historic ground, Leeds helped to break new ground and have just become a part of the Irish sports annals. Trafford debut After joining the squad for the first time on Tuesday, James Trafford was straight into the starting XI, playing 45 minutes. He had only had one mere activation session before the flight to Dublin. There is only so much you can take from one, maiden outing but his long passing was accurate, his anticipation exemplary and his command of the area obvious. Trafford ultimately won man of the match. Leeds will be expecting Trafford to play up to his club record £40m price tag. Trust has been placed in him amid the hope he can save or win the Whites a number of points. One moment showed best how he could do just that. Byran Mbeumo was by far Man Utd’s sharpest player of the first half and it was his flashing shot that looked destined for the corner before Trafford got down low quickly to tip it round the post. It is an early snapshot of hope for Leeds. Gnonto and Okafor show promise Noah Okafor is not expected to start the opening day match at Nottingham Forest given he returned late for pre-season after Switzerland’s progress to the last eight of the World Cup. But in his first summer outing on Wednesday, he showed why fans are desperate to see him get onto the pitch. Coming on as a half-time substitute, his first passage of play brought a free-kick. The second saw him beat two players and a third involved a super sweep-ball out to Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He was dangerous whenever he got the ball. But it was fellow substitute Wilfried Gnonto who had initially instigated Leeds’ attacking adventure after the break. His drives up the right saw Man Utd defenders on the back foot and twice he almost found Dominic Calvert-Lewin with his crosses, forcing corners as a result. He also did his duties the other way too, even winning two consecutive headers - even if it was from his own header in the first place. Okafor also filled back, something he did not do when he first joined Leeds. His attacking thrust was excellent but it was this that is most encouraging. A tactical insight From high up in Croke Park, Leeds’ second-half shape when the goalkeeper had the ball was notable. More often, the centre-backs would split wide with a midfielder centrally but positioned ahead of both defenders. While this is quite common practice in modern times, Leeds appeared to almost adopt a 2-4-3-1 or even a 2-2-4-2. It was very bold but clearly allowed the full-backs to push high, with Jayden Bogle in the second 10 role at times and the right centre-back part of the attacking four. This set-up was not hard-and-fast and it was clear that when the ball either went right or left - or long - the formation would change shape accordingly, to whatever tactics have been. Farke has said he likes attacking football and this is perhaps the most bold he can be with a back five set-up heading into the new season.