Josh Mulligan’s Elland Road switch could hinge on what happens in Leeds vs Man United
Josh Mulligan has been the centre of attention for Leeds United’s January transfer plans.
Leeds face Manchester United at Elland Road on Sunday in a Premier League showdown that has plenty of bad blood.
Daniel Farke has led a recent resurgence for the Whites, as his side now sits pretty comfortably outside the relegation zone on 21 points
Despite positive results of late, the German head coach is still seeking new arrivals in the January transfer window.
However, Mulligan’s potential Elland Road arrival may rest on one underused Leeds star’s performance against the Red Devils.
Ao Tanaka has a chance to step up for Leeds
Ao Tanaka was one of the Whites’ most consistently deployed players in the Championship last season.
But Farke hasn’t always opted to start the 27-year-old in the Premier League, with the transfer speculation surrounding Mulligan raising eyebrows.
Ethan Ampadu will miss the game against Man United due to suspension, with Tanaka predicted for a start in his place.
| Season | Games | Starts |
| 2025-26 | 16 | 7 |
| 2024-25 | 43 | 37 |
Granted, Tanaka has had his fitness issues this season, but when he has been available, Farke has still snubbed the midfielder.
But with a massive opportunity in front of him on Sunday, Tanaka could prove a point to his Leeds boss, who has only started the Japanese international in 37 per cent of the Whites’ league games.
Leeds will have to carefully spend this window, so Tanaka’s performance can change the stance on Mulligan.
Who has Josh Mulligan been likened to?
While the Whites have been linked with plenty of players ahead of the January window, the interest in Mulligan seems legitimate and overwhelming.
But the Hibs man who currently plays in the Scottish Premiership could have doubters regarding how the 23-year-old transitions to Premier League football.
Luckily for Leeds fans, Mulligan has been compared to Aston Villa captain John McGinn for his work rate by his Hibernian team-mate, Martin Boyle.
Boyle said, as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post in December: “He’s [Mulligan] another player with those John McGinn vibes – head down, runs through people. It’s great to see.
“He can move people around. He just tucks his head into his shoulders and off he goes. His balance is incredible.”
With January now here, it may be in Tanaka’s own hands to stop himself from being replaced at LS11.
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