Leeds United’s ‘special’ duo have set the tone as…

Leeds United’s ‘special’ duo have set the tone as managerless Whites approach pivotal moment

Weston McKennie wasted no time when it came to making an impression at Elland Road. The midfielder had made two previous appearances in a Leeds United shirt before making his home debut against Manchester United on Sunday.

However, a large majority of those fans in attendance last weekend had never seen him play in the flesh and they were brought to their feet after just six minutes as the American steamed into a challenge with Red Devils left-back Tyrell Malacia. The man in red had seen the tackle coming and tried to ride it as he dribbled the ball out of defence, but he could do little to prevent McKennie from leaving him on his back.

It was a tackle that announced McKennie to those of a Leeds persuasion, drawing a chest-thumping roar of passion from those inside the ground. However, the tone for that effort had been set a few minutes earlier by the 24-year-old’s midfield partner and compatriot Tyler Adams.

Adams has firmly established himself as a crowd favourite at Elland Road this season and he took just three minutes to underline why he is so revered as he clattered into Jadon Sancho. The US national team captain won the ball fairly but he left Sancho in a crumpled heap on the floor.

He then stood over the England international to assert his dominance and let him know what sort of game he could expect over the course of the afternoon. McKennie’s early tackle only built on that, putting the visitors on the back foot and helping Leeds get the better of the early exchanges.

Together, McKennie and Adams continued to make life difficult for Erik ten Hag’s side, who showed no interest in rising to the physical challenge at times. The pair of them continued to get about the park, turning the ball over well and forcing mistakes with their tenacity, energy and desire.

They were strong in possession, too, moving the ball well and finding Leeds’ most creative and attacking talents, who, had they been more clinical, could have been the difference against the Red Devils. As such, it was no surprise to hear Skubala waxing lyrical about the pair after the contest.

“I love that partnership,” the caretaker manager said. "I think they have quality on the ball, I think they have quality off the ball.

“I think at times they were playing against three and dealing with it. So I think they were covering areas of the pitch but also they look exciting when the ball turns over and they go forward.

“I think it is a really special partnership.”

The Whites have now entered what promises to be a pivotal period of the Premier League season. Games against Everton and Southampton promise to have huge implications at the bottom of the table and Leeds will go to Goodison Park at the very least without a permanent head coach in place.

However, United won’t go far wrong in the coming weeks if Adams and McKennie can make a habit of producing such dominant and powerful performances, both individually and as a pairing. Leeds will need hunger, bite and drive in their battle to avoid the drop and the American duo have all that in spades.

Leeds United’s ‘special’ duo have set the tone as managerless Whites approach pivotal moment

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