Many Leeds fans thrilled by ‘MOTM’ in 3-1 win v Derby: ‘Orta does deserve some serious credit’
Leeds United fans were delighted with what they saw from Pascal Struijk as he made his first start for the club in the 3-1 win over Derby on Sunday.
Marcelo Bielsa opted to make seven changes to his starting line-up ahead of the match at Pride Park and the decision to hand Struijk, 20, his full debut was one of them.
Struijk had played three times for the Leeds first-team before being picked to start in the holding midfield role against Derby and really impressed when he came off the bench against Barnsley last week.
Bielsa was clearly so impressed with the Dutchman that he started him in place of Ben White in the midfield with Kalvin Phillips still out and it seems that decision has gone down very well with Leeds fans.
One dubbed Struijk as his man of the match against the Rams while another hailed Victor Orta for bringing in the former Ajax youngster.
Here is a selection of their tweets:
https://twitter.com/Yorkie6013/status/1284866113801793536
https://twitter.com/Wood_V3/status/1284868147032530944
Struijk had a tough start to his life in the Leeds senior team when he came off the bench in the 3-3 draw against Cardiff back in December.
Leeds’ capitulation in that game wasn’t his fault but we can certainly say that wasn’t a game that Bielsa should have risked him in.
However, against Derby on Sunday, it was time to experiment a bit and name the young defender in the defensive midfield role.
He really shone there with stats by WhoScored saying he completed 88 per cent of passes, won two tackles and made four interceptions – more than any other player on the pitch.
Struijk kept Wayne Rooney quiet all afternoon and that is surely the sign of a promising young player who fans are right to be excited about.
In other Leeds United news, this £16million Leeds deal is all but done.