Even before Leeds United hosted Manchester United this afternoon there was controversy.
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa dropped Raphinha from his starting lineup in favour of playing Adam Forshaw instead.
Considering this was against Manchester United, and the Brazilian has been the Elland Road outfit’s best player this season, it was a massive call by Bielsa.
And one that he ultimately got wrong.
The Red Devils cruised into a 2-0 half-time lead and although Raphinha and Joe Gelhardt came on at half time, with the former Rennes winger scoring to make 2-2 after Rodrigo halved the deficit, the visitors still return to Old Trafford with a 4-2 victory.
In the absence of Patrick Bamford this season, Raphinha has been easily Leeds’ best and most consistent performer.
And Mark Bosnich, a former Red Devil, has admitted to BBC Radio 5 Live that he was ‘astounded’ to see him dropped today.
Bosnich told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I’m astounded Raphinha hasn’t started in such a big game. In the opposition dressing room, when you see a team has left out their best player, the mood rises.”
Crazy
Well, Bielsa’s nickname is El Loco – the crazy one – and he certainly lived up to that billing this afternoon.
The 66-year-old has often made unconventional decisions which ultimately proved masterstrokes at various points over the last three-and-a-half years, since arriving in West Yorkshire.
However, this one backfired massively and you could argue that the Whites surrendered even before a ball was kicked and, given the opposition, that’s a major no-no for Leeds fans.
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