Live from Old Trafford: Leeds U18s star shows snippets of class v United with PL clubs sniffing

Leeds United under-18s were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup by Manchester United on Wednesday, losing 1-0.

After scoring the winning penalty in the previous round, young forward Henri Kumwenda was given the nod to lead the line at Old Trafford.

It was an opportunity to impress, with Football Insider previously reporting that the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City were all interested in the forward.

The striker was isolated for the majority of the game but still excelled when given the ball in the final third. Kumwenda was one of the standout men in the first half, holding the ball up superbly and also forcing a great save from the keeper from long-range.

What impressed us the most was his attitude. The striker was not afraid to chase the ball non-stop, something Marcelo Bielsa will love to see. Although he wasn’t very effective at closing people down, he never stopped running.

It was that attitude that got him into trouble though, with his eagerness getting the better of him. Two late fouls either side of the break saw him collect two yellows leading to a red, quite harsh given they were his only two.

Even with the unfortunate red card, Kumwenda showed snippets of class in the 1-0 defeat, and he could get the chance in Carlos Corberan’s under-23s side in the next two months.

It was confirmed by the BBC that Ryan Edmondson will be out until the end of March after a knee operation, and there is a clear spot to lead the line in that side now.

Kumwenda could be the man to do that, Leeds could have to be careful though, as it could but the forward into the shop window for the Premier League big boys.