The Whites have made a steady start to the 2024/25 Championship campaign
Leeds United are in a good position to kick on when they return to Championship action following the international break. The Whites are sat in fifth, just three points behind current league leaders Sunderland, after the recent draw at the Stadium of Light.
Daniel Farke was not overly critical of his sides performance against the Wearsiders, despite a late howler from Illan Meslier, which saw his side drop two points on the road. A win would have taken the Whites to within a point of the Championship summit, but have made a bright start to the campaign nonetheless.
Leeds are many people’s favourites for the title having narrowly missed out on promotion last season, and with a number of managers heaping praise on Farke’s men in the first three months of the campaign.
John Mousinho – Portsmouth
Mousinho claimed Premier League managers should be looking to snap up some of Leeds United’s top players before the summer transfer window closed following their pulsating 3-3 draw at Elland Road.
“The lads gave everything and I think Leeds know they have been in a game today and that is the most important thing,” he said. “We are gutted not to win. I think on balance it was a really good point as Leeds probably deserved to win it. I think they are an outstanding side with some outstanding individuals.
“There are some multi-million pound players there that may go over the next three weeks. If I’m a Premier League manager, I am definitely snapping up a few of them after today.”
Michael Carrick – Middlesbrough
Speaking ahead of the Carabao Cup first round tie, Boro boss Michael Carrick described United as a having a “fantastic squad”. He said: “Great group of players, individually and collectively. They proved that by how far they went, how close they came to the Premier League.”
Both teams fielded much-changed teams as Boro ran-out 3-0 winners after second half strikes from Anfernee Dijksteel, Delano Burgzorg and Josh Coburn.
Carlos Corberan – West Bromwich Albion
Corberan spoke glowingly of United’s chances of securing a top flight return in the wake of the goalless draw at The Hawthorns. “When you are watching previous game of Leeds, for me, they didn’t win the previous games, not for the lack of chances,” said . “Yes, they didn’t win for the lack of accuracy in their big chances.
“And today, for me, it’s important that the team has reduced the number of chances of Leeds, and we have made them feel a different team, because they have, in my opinion, some of the best players on the division.
“But now I think there are changing, like we all teams are suffering, but I see the base of Leeds being a strong team in the competition, something that for me, the last year didn’t happen.”
Danny Röhl – Sheffield Wednesday
The German admitted the Owls were beaten by a superior team at Hillsborough. He said: “You saw a good Leeds side with a lot of quality. It should not be an excuse, but I think in some moments you saw the difference.
“Against a strong Leeds, you have to make a lot of things right and maybe sometimes in some situations, you need a little bit of luck. But especially, the second conceded goal, this is too easy and a five against one situation and (if) we stay in one line, we cover our team-mates backs. It’s then difficult to take something as then our opponent is so strong.
“You can always concede a goal against them and for the first one, they played well, but even in this goal, you can defend differently in some moments and we have to defend differently.
“All in all, they controlled the game and it was hard. But when you play against a strong opposition, it’s about showing resilience and sometimes, (when) you suffer, you have to stay together as a team. This is normal and what we have to take from this game.”