Garth Crooks has claimed in his BBC Sport Team of the Week column that he has “little time” for Marcelo Bielsa after the Leeds United boss left Raphinha out of his starting line-up against Manchester United on Sunday.
Raphinha, 25, was left on the bench after a string of below-par performances against Newcastle, Aston Villa and Everton. Prior to that, he sparkled in a 3-2 away win over West Ham. But he did come on at half-time.
His recent form saw Bielsa choose to start Dan James and Jack Harrison out wide, with Mateusz Klich supporting loan striker Rodrigo. It failed to prove effective in the first half – United going into the break with a two-goal lead.
But coming on at half-time, along with Joe Gelhardt, Leeds flipped the game on its head. Two quick-fire goals from Rodrigo, and then Raphinha, saw the scoreline read 2-2. But Fred, and then Anthony Elanga, saw United win.
Crooks spoke about Bielsa’s decision to leave Raphinha out of the side, after naming Bruno Fernandes in his TOTW. He says he has little time for Bielsa, branding the thinking behind Raphinha’s omission as “beggars belief”.
“I have very little time for any manager, especially with limited resources, who leaves their most talented player on the bench against a top-class side and still expects to get something out of the game.
“In the first half, Leeds were like lambs to the slaughter playing Manchester United. How you leave Raphinha on the sidelines against a team like United beggars belief,” Crooks said in his TOTW on BBC Sport’s website.
Crooks on Bielsa: Leeds boss right to bench Raphinha against United
Raphinha has been a sensation for Leeds this season. Having had a hand in 15 goals during 31 games last season – six goals and nine assists – he has already netted nine times in his 23 outings this time around.
If Leeds are to avoid the drop, he is key. But Leeds need him firing on all cylinders and against Newcastle, Everton and Villa, he simply was not. Bielsa was right to bench him; he came back in with a point to prove.
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