Credit: Breaking Media/Manh Tung

Richie Mills

Mon 13 April 2026 12:10, UK

Gabriel Gudmundsson appeared to be moving freely in Leeds United‘s latest training session ahead of facing Manchester United.

Leeds advanced to the semi-finals of the FA Cup after beating West Ham on penalties last time out, but the game came at a heavy price.

On Thursday, Daniel Farke confirmed that Joe Rodon and Anton Stach had suffered ankle injuries, while Jaka Bijol has been struggling with a knock.

Moreover, Noah Okafor had a back issue, and Gudmundsson’s groin complaint meant he was a doubt for the United match on Monday evening.

An injury-depleted Leeds take on United at Old Trafford, with few predicting anything other than another loss at the home of their fierce rivals.

Incidentally, here are four things MOT Leeds News spotted in team training at Thorp Arch.

Leeds absentees and Ao Tanaka’s spirits

A couple of days on from Farke’s remarks, Leeds returned to first-team training as they prepare to take on the third-placed Red Devils.

Firstly, Farke said Gudmundsson was unlikely to face United, but he took part in first-team training, engaged in sprinting drills, and played in a mini match.

The Swede may be saved for Saturday’s home clash against basement side Wolves, but the fact that he is in first-team training is a good sign.

Secondly, Facundo Buonanotte – who has barely played for Leeds since joining on loan in January – looked upbeat in training, although that may be masking how he truly feels right now.

Thirdly, reports suggest Ao Tanaka is open to leaving Leeds after a lack of game time this season. But the Japanese was in good spirits as he was seen joking with teammate Wilfried Gnonto.

He certainly wasn’t moping around amid the transfer speculation surrounding him.

Fourth and finally, Stach, Rodon, and Bijol appeared to be absent from Leeds’ first-team training.

Okafor was also not spotted, but on Monday morning, he took to Instagram to preview the United game, so perhaps the Swiss will play some part in the contest.

Leeds seek to end barren Man Utd spell

Leeds claimed a valuable point at home to United in January, in what was Ruben Amorim’s last game in charge, but under Michael Carrick, they have been a different beast.

Carrick has won seven of his 10 games in the dugout, as United have gone from a top-half side to a team primed to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

To make matters worse for Leeds, they have not won in the league at this ground since a 1-0 win in February 1981, 18 encounters ago.

It remains to be seen what side Farke will pick to face United, as the German may have half an eye on their very winnable home match against lowly Wolves.

But this is a derby, and fans will demand the utmost from their players on enemy soil. This is the perfect game for Leeds to show their survival credentials, despite being heavy underdogs.