Leeds United face Manchester United at Elland Road today with plenty at stake, but Daniel Farke’s team selection could also offer clues about one of his squad players’ future.
With the January transfer window approaching, every appearance matters for those struggling to get regular minutes. Farke has decisions to make about who can help Leeds over the coming months, and his use of the substitutes could be just as telling as his starting XI.
Sean Longstaff is among those who need a chance to change the conversation about their place in the squad. The midfielder is in his second season at Elland Road, having joined Leeds last year, but he’s had limited Premier League involvement.
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Longstaff is struggling to get a look-in at Leeds
Longstaff has made just two substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, totalling only 10 minutes. He has been an unused substitute in four league games, including Leeds’ last two.
For a player who arrived for a reported £15m fee, that is a worrying lack of involvement. Longstaff brought top-flight experience to Elland Road, and Leeds would have expected him to be a dependable midfield option for Farke. Instead, he has struggled to break into the manager’s plans.
There could be reasons behind his lack of minutes, and it would be premature to assume Farke has completely lost faith in him. But with opportunities becoming increasingly scarce, Longstaff needs to find a way back into contention.
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Another snub could put Longstaff’s future in doubt
If Longstaff again fails to get on the pitch against Manchester United, it will be hard to ignore the pattern. Being left on the bench once or twice is one thing, but repeated omissions suggest he’s somewhere down Farke’s pecking order.
That would raise questions about whether the midfielder remains a key part of Leeds’ plans. The January window could give the club a chance to reassess his situation, particularly if Farke believes other options better suit what he wants from his midfield.
Selling Longstaff would not be straightforward. Leeds would need to consider the fee they could recover and whether they would have to bring in a replacement. Still, there is little value in keeping a player who rarely features if the manager no longer sees a meaningful role for him.
Today’s game will not determine Longstaff’s future by itself. But if another 90 minutes pass without him leaving the bench, the possibility of a January departure will become harder to dismiss.
If we were to lose Stach to injury and didnt have longstaff we would be in a mess.