Adam Forshaw simply has to start Leeds United’s Premier League clash with Manchester United on Sunday, according to reliable journalist Phil Hay.
The Lowdown: Huge game for Leeds
The Whites face an enormous match on Sunday afternoon, both historically and in terms of the relegation battle.
Leeds welcome United to Elland Road for a hotly-anticipated league clash, with the bitter rivalry between the two clubs existing for many decades.
Marcelo Bielsa is not without injury problems for the game – the likes of Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford are all out – but Forshaw is someone who could feature.
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He hasn’t been handed a start by Bielsa in Leeds’ last two Premier League matches, coming off the bench in last week’s loss to Everton and before that away to Aston Villa, but Hay insists he simply must be re-called to the starting eleven.
The Latest: Hay urges Forshaw to start
Writing in a Q&A for The Athletic on Sunday morning, Hay said the 30-year must take to the field against Ralf Rangnick’s side:
“Forshaw has to come into the team after last weekend. Leeds need his box to box presence. And yes, if the game is there to be done, I’d be looking at Gelhardt ahead of Roberts. I think most of us would.”
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The Verdict: No-brainer for Bielsa
With Phillips absent, Forshaw’s tenacity in the middle of the park is going to be key, in what has the potential to be a ferocious encounter. Bielsa has said he ‘very much’ admires his player’s effort levels, which makes him perfect for a game like this.
Forshaw has averaged two tackles per game in the league this season, as well as committing 1.1 fouls per match, so him playing is an absolute no-brainer.
A big performance from the injury-plagued midfielder would further add to his popularity, following a memorable return from an almost two-year absence.
Former Whites captain Dominic Matteo, speaking on talkSPORT (via HITC), labelled Forshaw an ‘underrated’ player and we believe be could be what Bielsa needs today.
In other news, there has been ‘no contact’ between Leeds and a potential Bielsa successor. Read more here.