Credit: Tung Manh Phan

Richie Mills

Tue 14 April 2026 10:10, UK

Ao Tanaka put in a statement display for Leeds United in their 2-1 win over Manchester United amid speculation about his future.

Tanaka made his first start for Leeds in the Premier League since 28 December at Old Trafford, but it was worth the wait as he chalked up his best performance of the season on Monday.

Buoyed by his goalscoring display in Leeds’ FA Cup quarter-final win over West Ham, the Japanese star was the best midfielder on the pitch as he conducted Daniel Farke‘s attack, particularly in the first half.

The 27-year-old was unfortunate not to score right on the stroke of halftime when he intercepted the loose ball, rounded goalkeeper Senne Lammens, before being brilliantly denied on the goal line by Lisandro Martinez.

Tanaka has been linked with a Leeds exit this month, but his outing against the Red Devils – who had Martinez sent off in the second half – will surely make the 49ers either rethink the idea of letting him leave or at least whack up his price tag.

Daniel Farke has to change his view on Ao Tanaka

Last season, Farke nicknamed the former Fortuna Düsseldorf man “Tiger Tanaka” due to his brilliant displays in the Championship.

This season, Tanaka has started just eight league games, with Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach, and Ilia Gruev often preferred to the midfielder.

But against United, Tanaka seemed like he had a point to prove. According to Sofascore, he made four key passes, had an 84 per cent passing accuracy, and was one for one on his dribbles.

Tanaka also made six defensive contributions, two interceptions, one clearance, two recoveries, one blocked shot, and he won three out of his four ground duels.

That earned him a match rating of 7.7 before he went off in the 74th minute with what appeared to be cramp. But the way he made United’s midfielders look pedestrian would have been a joy to witness for Leeds fans.

Would any of his teammates have looked head and shoulders above everyone else in the centre of the park at Old Trafford on Monday night?

Ampadu was there to break up play amazingly, but he didn’t create a great deal.

Brenden Aaronson huffed and puffed but didn’t show much quality. Tanaka seems to have extra time on the ball, a trait all good players have. He had vision, assuredness in possession, a swagger with his distribution and more.

After this display, Farke simply has to start Tanaka against Wolves on Saturday, especially as Stach is out injured. Just when there were questions over the Japan international’s future at Leeds, he put in a performance that should make the 49ers rethink any plans to let him go.

Leeds’ destructive first half does damage at Man Utd

Leeds started the game against their old adversaries like a house on fire, and a Noah Okafor brace gave them a deserved lead. They created an Expected Goals tally of just over two, compared to United’s 0.17.

And even though Michael Carrick’s team were the better side in the second half, Leeds still had an xG of 2.37 vs 1.31 overall.

According to Opta’s Jonny Cooper, Leeds became just the second visiting team since 2008-09 at Old Trafford to have more than five shots on target, more than 10 shots, and in excess of 20 touches in the opposition box in the first half of a game.

And, they ended their Old Trafford hoodoo in the league, too.

The United result took Leeds six points clear of 18th-placed Tottenham with six matches remaining.

Leeds still have to play basement side Wolves, 19th-positioned Burnley and Spurs, too.

On that performance, Leeds will be playing in the Premier League next season.