Leeds United: ‘Tough’ transfer decision awaits Archie Gray as Manchester United advice given
Don Goodman insists it is only a matter of time before Archie Gray is a Premier League player – with or without Leeds United.
Gray has been one of Leeds’ key performers in their push for an instant return to the top flight, having started 31 of their 35 league games.
Manchester United were recently credited with an interest in the youngster, but Goodman believes a better option could await if he leaves Leeds.
“It’s a tough one because of the history and the rivalry between the sides, going back many, many years,” Goodman told MOT Leeds News.
“Being a member of the Gray family, I’m sure he’s fully up to speed with the dislike those two football clubs have.
“Whether it comes down to that remains to be seen. If I’m honest, at the moment he could probably get better options than Manchester United.“
Archie Gray attracting Manchester United transfer interest
Goodman added: “That’s looking at it purely from a football perspective, rather than looking at their stature as one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“He is absolutely flying and I don’t think I’ve seen a 17-year-old play with such authority and class in my time.
“When I was 17 I was playing five or six games and then Trevor Cherry would take me out because it’s emotionally draining. Trust me.
“When you’re that young, you’re still a boy in real terms playing in a man’s world. It can be emotionally and physically draining.
“But he’s just ploughed on and is absolute quality. It’s really important for Leeds to get back to the Premier League if they want to keep him. If not then he will end up a Premier League player with someone else.
“I think you can probably say it was only a matter of time before Kalvin Phillips left Leeds United, and the same applies here for Gray if Leeds are not in the Premier League in the next year or so.”
Leeds United still on course for Premier League return
Gray’s quality was clear to see from the moment he made his senior debut against Cardiff City on the opening weekend of the season.
Since then, the academy graduate has been used mainly as a right-back, where he has taken his performances to a whole new level.
With 2,769 minutes of Championship action to his name this campaign, only Georginio Rutter (2,878) and Ethan Ampadu (3,150) have played more among Leeds’ outfielders [WhoScored].
As Goodman says, it is inevitable that Gray will end up in the Premier League before too long. Ideally that is with Leeds next season, or else the vultures could begin circling.
Given Gray’s deep Elland Road roots, historic rivals Manchester United would not be the most appealing move for him.
Having only signed a new long-term deal in January that runs through until 2028, Leeds know that the ball is firmly in their court even if any interest does come in for him.
Anyway, should Gray and his colleagues continue their impressive form – the draw with Huddersfield Town aside – then the fan favourite will be plying his trade in the Premier League with his boyhood team five months from now regardless.
In other Leeds United news, a first-team player is on a run that has not been seen at Elland Road in close to a century.
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