Paul Robinson suggests Marcelo Bielsa threw in towel as Leeds United lost v Manchester United
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson suggests Marcelo Bielsa may have thrown in the towel as Leeds United lost 5-1 to Manchester United at Old Trafford last week.
Kalvin Phillips started on the bench for the Whites and controversially failed to make an appearance despite the tidal wave of goals being conceded by Bielsa’s defence.
In the 70th and 77th minute, Bielsa also substituted off Jack Harrison and Patrick Bamford respectively.
Robinson feels that Bielsa knew the game was lot and set about protecting his key players from potential injuries or bans rather than making them play for a lost cause.
Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Robinson defended the reasoning behind Phillips being an unused sub. He said: “You can understand why because he only had two weeks of holiday. The players are monitored on a daily basis so they know what fitness levels they’re at.
“But they missed him hugely – him and [Diego] Llorente. I thought they were weak at the back again, they were vulnerable.
“The decision to not bring him off the bench was very understandable in my eyes because the game was already lost.
“After half-time, there was quick succession of goals so by the time it got to 3-1 or 4-1, there was no point in bringing him off the bench because he wasn’t really going to give you anything in an attacking sense. He’s not going to change the game.
“There was no point putting him on for 25-30 minutes and risk injuries when the game was done. [Patrick] Bamford went off too so you could kind of see the manager thought, ‘look, this game is done’.”
Leeds play Everton on Saturday as they play in front of a packed Elland Road for the first time in the Premier League since returning to the top-flight.
Phillips is expected to start that one while Junior Firpo may also get the nod to get his full debut at left-back.
However, the game has come too soon for Llorente, who’s still injured but may be back in action next week.
In other Leeds United news, Stan Collymore wants the Whites to sign this £70million-rated player after a stunning performance at the weekend.