Five things learned from Leeds United’s win over Sunderland, including a big James Trafford hint | OneFootball

Leeds United earned their first pre-season win, beating Sunderland 1-0. According to Leedsunited.news, Lucas Perri’s omission, alongside reports he has agreed a loan-to-buy with Torino, offered a hint that James Trafford is set to sign.

Lukas Nmecha scored the only goal in the early hours of Friday. Tarik Muharemovic debuted in a typical friendly.

Perri had replaced Alex Cairns at half-time against Wrexham but was not in the squad here. His absence will fuel the sense that Trafford’s announcement is close, with Perri then expected to join Serie A side Torino.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed a second straight pre-season game with injury. His absence underlined the need for a striker, with Nmecha impressing as Joel Piroe toiled again. Leeds target Carlos Espi has completed a move to Real Madrid.

Muharemovic was outstanding on his Leeds bow. The £34m defender grew in authority, and late on he was breaking lines with playmaker-like passes. James Justin, Gabi Gudmundsson, Joe Rodon, Dan James and Sean Longstaff also performed well.

Daniel Farke started with a 3-4-2-1 that served Leeds well last season. Rodon, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Muharemovic formed a back three that kept Alex Cairns well protected, and Leeds stayed with that shape after the break. Having used a back four against Wrexham, switching between systems looks set to continue.

Seventeen-year-old Callum Mills kept his place after starting the opener. He was tidy and industrious alongside Nmecha, albeit with limited threat. Two starts this summer suggest Farke sees a potential first-team role.

Source: Leedsunited.news