By Sam Stone

5th Jun, 2023 | 6:10pm

Oli McBurnie sends Luke Ayling four-word message as Leeds United image shared

Oli McBurnie has sent Luke Ayling a four-word message after the Leeds United right-back posted an image of himself on Instagram.

McBurnie has been celebrating promotion back to the Premier League with Sheffield United after the Blades finished second in the Championship behind Burnley.

Ayling posted an image on Instagram after the Whites’ relegation to the Championship. The Sheffield United man has since responded.

“We go again brother,” he wrote (4 June).

Strange

McBurnie’s message does seem a little strange. It’s as if he’s forgotten who he plays for. We all know Sheffield United aren’t the Whites’ biggest rival, but there’s certainly been enough needle between the two sides in the past.

As for Ayling’s post, he’s one of the few players who is obviously concerned about the club’s well-being and has the best interests of Leeds at heart.

He made plenty of mistakes during the latter stages of the season, but he knows how to get out of the division and could be a useful person to have in and around the dressing room next season.

Leeds fans are still waiting for some sort of noise to emerge from Elland Road. With no permanent manager or director of football, it’s hard to envisage too much going on behind the scenes in terms of recruitment.

Hopefully, this week, we see the retained list emerge. All eyes will be on the likes of Adam Forshaw and Joel Robles.

In other Leeds United news, two exit-bound Whites veterans are set to learn their confirmed futures this week.