Leeds United fans were delighted what they saw from Pablo Hernandez as the veteran midfielder play for the Under-23s side on Sunday.
Hernandez, 35, played the opening 45 minutes of Leeds’ 2-2 draw against Aston Villa in Premier League 2 as he got his boots muddy for the first time since the defeat to Leicester at the start of November.
Marcelo Bielsa substituted Hernandez off in that game and the experienced Spaniard reacted petulantly by throwing his black armband to the ground and kicking a water bottle.
He then missed the Crystal Palace game a week later before posting an apology on Twitter but the midfielder then spent a month on the sidelines with an injury.
Hernandez was back on the bench on Friday in the 2-1 defeat against West Ham but wasn’t used by Bielsa and had to wait until the Under-23s game on Sunday to get back on the pitch.
Based on the reaction of these supporters, Hernandez did brilliantly playing for the Under-23s against Villa.
Here is a selection of their tweets:
Better than Villa U23s but somehow contrived to find ourselves 2-0 down. Fortunately Kamwa & Greenwood quickly got us back on terms. Pablo looking good, as you might expect. Good match. #lufc
— Tommy (@tommy_lufc) December 13, 2020
Top Pro Pablo is, what a player and great attitude. Young lads can learn a lot from a player like Hernandez.
— Baz18 (@baz18mitch) December 13, 2020
Pablo needs to be starting against Newcastle #LUFC https://t.co/mUL4RUvPof
— 🇦🇷 … i_like_pizza_ok! (@j_is_my_name) December 13, 2020
Pablo is looking "superhealthy" #lufc
— Si (@LeedsInShetland) December 13, 2020
He makes every team better, at any level. We have to get him back in the first team. His passing is superb. #lufc
— Tommy (@tommy_lufc) December 13, 2020
Vision and the splitting pass is all it takes. Just a shame the defence is awful today #LUFC 0-2 to Vile
— Si (@LeedsInShetland) December 13, 2020
Gelhardt looks very dangerous up front, give it to him and he'll turn it into a chance. Greenwood and Hernandez both heavily involved but feel like there's still a space for a box to box midfielder to give Leeds more control. Can see Poveda making a big impact on the right #lufc
— The Modern Game (@The_ModernGame) December 13, 2020
Brilliant pass from Hernandez, Kamwa does well to take it in his stride but he’s denied by Heaton. Good chance.
Leeds back on top since the goal. #LUFC U23 0-1 #AVFC U23
— LUFC Academy Central (@LUFCacademynews) December 13, 2020
Leeds have lost their last two Premier League matches and won just once in their last six outings.
Hernandez is usually someone who Leeds rely upon a lot but the Spaniard has started just twice in the Premier League this season and the only win he was involved in was when he came off the bench late on against Aston Villa.
It is hard to see him breaking back into the side despite the club’s poor form.
Rodrigo has done well in the midfield and Raphinha and Helder Costa are vying for spots on the right-wing.
Hernandez will have to bide his time but we’re sure we’ll see more of him again in the near future.
In other Leeds United news, Graeme Souness has made an outrageous claim about this Whites ace.
