Leeds edge Sunderland 1-0, Rodon captains and Muharemovic impresses | OneFootball

Leeds United secured their first pre-season win at the second attempt, a 1-0 defeat of Sunderland in New Jersey. Lukas Nmecha scored early from distance and a disciplined rearguard preserved the clean sheet.

Sunderland created openings but were wasteful in the final third. Twenty-one Leeds players featured, the entire outfield unit was changed, with goalkeeper Alex Cairns the only player to complete the match.

With Pascal Struijk leaving for Brighton earlier this summer, the vice-captaincy behind club captain Ethan Ampadu remains unconfirmed. Daniel Farke appeared to hint at a choice as Joe Rodon led the team out. Ampadu started on the bench.

Leeds otherwise named a strong side, academy prospect Callum Mills the only youngster in the XI. Rodon, looking ahead to a fourth campaign in West Yorkshire, wore the armband.

New £34m centre-back Tarik Muharemovic was thrown straight in and delivered a highly encouraging display. The 23-year-old looked the best player on the pitch.

Leeds lacked fluency in attack. Nmecha’s winner followed Ao Tanaka dispossessing Le Fee in the Sunderland half and a ricochet, rather than sustained build-up.

Farke was without Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor, while Wilson is still settling, and the attack looked flat. Daniel James squandered good chances and neither Joel Piroe nor Willy Gnonto had much impact.

Defensively they look pretty strong, particularly if a £40m deal for James Trafford is completed. Beyond the likely trio of Wilson, Okafor and Calvert-Lewin they look short up top, with a month of the window left.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk