Christiansen admits he wasn’t expecting something special from Pablo Hernandez against Leicester

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Leeds United lost 3-1 to Leicester City on Tuesday night.

Leeds United midfielder Pablo Hernandez (2nd R) scores against Leicester City

Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen has told BBC Radio Leeds that he wasn’t expecting ‘something special’ from Pablo Hernandez after handing him the captain’s armband against Leicester City.

Having beaten Bristol City 3-0 on Saturday afternoon, snapping a run of four defeats in five Championship games, Leeds travelled to the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night, taking on Premier League side Leicester City in the Carabao Cup.

Christiansen’s men took the lead as playmaker Hernandez scored a superb opener from long range, but Leicester almost instantly hit back through Kelechi Iheanacho.

Leeds United midfielder Pablo Hernandez celebrates after scoring against Leicester City

Leeds managed to keep Leicester at bay for most of the game, but Islam Slimani put the Foxes 2-1 up, before Riyad Mahrez’s late goal made it 3-1 for Michael Appleton’s side, handing them a passage into the last eight of the competition.

Leeds’ attention will immediately switch to the Championship clash with Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United on Friday evening, with a response sought after Tuesday’s defeat.

With captain Liam Cooper and vice-captain Luke Ayling both out of the side, Christiansen decided to hand the captain’s armband to playmaker Hernandez, and he responded in style with his outstanding opener.

The Spaniard was left out of Saturday’s win at Bristol City amid questions over whether he and Samu Saiz can play in the same side, but he staked his claim for a league recall on Friday with a strong display at the King Power Stadium.

After the game, Christiansen was asked by BBC Radio Leeds whether he felt Hernandez stepped up his performance as a result of having the armband, but he responded by suggesting that he didn’t expect something special from him just for being captain, and whilst his performance was important, everybody knows they must contribute, rather than one player stepping up.

“He normally responds to all the situations,” said Christiansen. “Today, as captain, it was important, but I don’t expect something special from being captain. They have to do what they have to do, everyone, but for him, for sure, scoring a goal as captain is nice,” he added.