Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Aheed Abrar

Thu 16 April 2026 10:40, UK Updated Thu 16 April 2026 11:17, UK

Ao Tanaka may be a doubt for Leeds United against Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday.

YEP journalist Graham Smyth saw a look of “shocked horror” on the Japan international’s face when Sean Longstaff tried to make him celebrate the Whites’ win over Manchester United with the travelling supporters.

The midfielder seemed to have hurt his foot at Old Trafford and was replaced by Ilia Gruev in the 74th minute of the 2-1 victory.

With Anton Stach sidelined at Elland Road, the former Fortuna Dusseldorf star put in a brilliant shift against the Red Devils, but it remains to be seen whether he will be available to face Wolves at Elland Road on 18 April.

Daniel Farke may be without Tanaka and the German manager could potentially have to make another change to his engine room against Rob Edwards’ team.

Daniel Farke has major dilemma to replace Ao Tanaka vs Wolves

If Tanaka indeed isn’t fit enough to start against Wolves, Gruev and Sean Longstaff are the two obvious solutions for Farke.

The Bulgaria international had a purple patch midway through the season but has found game time hard to come by after a massive dip in form.

As for Longstaff, he was a key player for the German manager at the start of the campaign, but the former Newcastle United midfielder has fallen down the pecking order since his injury.

It will be interesting to see who Farke believes has the qualities to complement Ethan Ampadu in the middle of the park and replicate what the Japan international did at Old Trafford.

Speaking on the Inside Elland Road Podcast on 15 April, Smyth said, “A bit concerned about Tanaka. He was pointing to his foot before he came off at Old Trafford. He didn’t look altogether comfortable. When they were celebrating at the end, he was kind of doing this odd, almost like he was pretending to be a crab, legs splayed, kind of putting pressure through his foot.

“And then, when I think it was Longstaff who tried to grab him and conscript him into the running wave to the fans, he had this look of shocked horror on his face. He was aghast and he was kind of basically saying, ‘No, I can’t,’ or ‘No, I don’t want to.’ So there’s definitely a question mark over him.”

Leeds United also face Ao Tanaka confusion at Elland Road

Tanaka was pivotal to Leeds’ success last season, but has become a bit-part player in the Premier League.

The Japanese ace got his first Premier League start after 13 games against Man United, highlighting his diminishing influence at Elland Road.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the 27-year-old opt for a move away from the Whites in the upcoming transfer window for regular opportunities elsewhere.

Tanaka has been a loyal servant for the West Yorkshire outfit, but they may be faced with the prospect of having to sell him in the summer.