Kyle Newbould: Leeds beat Sunderland 1-0, Rodon captains and Muharemovic shines | OneFootball

Leeds United claimed their first pre-season win, beating Sunderland 1-0 in New Jersey as Lukas Nmecha struck early from distance and a clean sheet followed.

As reported by yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Daniel Farke used 21 players, changing the entire outfield during the game, with goalkeeper Alex Cairns the only man to complete the 90. Sunderland created openings but were wasteful in the final third.

Joe Rodon captained Leeds at the Sports Illustrated Stadium, with Pascal Struijk’s move to Brighton earlier this summer leaving a vacancy as Ethan Ampadu’s deputy. There has been no confirmation of a vice-captain, but Rodon leading the side out appeared to hint at a decision. Ampadu began on the bench and Callum Mills was the lone academy starter in an otherwise senior XI.

Debutant Tarik Muharemovic, a £34 million centre-back, started and impressed with a composed, authoritative display. He showed recovery pace to cut out an Enzo Le Fee pass and threw himself into a firm challenge on Brian Brobbey. His range of passing stood out, including a laser-like ball into the run of Jayden Bogle.

Leeds lacked fluency in attack. Nmecha’s winner stemmed from Ao Tanaka dispossessing Le Fee in Sunderland territory and a ricochet to the striker rather than crafted build-up.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor unavailable and Wilson still settling, the front line looked flat. Daniel James squandered presentable chances, while Joel Piroe and Willy Gnonto made little impact.

Defensively they looked assured and could be bolstered if a £40m move for James Trafford is completed. Beyond the likely trio of Wilson, Okafor and Calvert-Lewin, options up top appear light, and there is a month of the window left.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk