Leeds United have had a steady start to the season, though they are benefiting from a seemingly weaker Championship in 2024/25 compared to 2023/24.
Last year, Leeds started sluggishly and despite being the form side for the majority of the season, they only finished third. This meant that Leeds made unwanted history becoming arguably the greatest Championship side ever to miss out on automatic promotion.
The play-off route would yield more pain for the club however, as they were unable to break down Southampton at Wembley losing 1-0 and seeing the Saints head off to the Premier League.
After their start to the season, Leeds are third and level on points with Burnley in second spot and five points behind leaders Sunderland. They have endured their fair share of missteps however. Before the international break, they dropped two points against Sunderland when they led 2-1 until a late Illian Meslier blunder.
They did notch back to back wins ending Sheffield United’s unbeaten run with a 2-0 win before beating Watford 2-1. But those wins were sandwiched between the Sunderland draw and a 0-0 draw against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
This means that their next game is a must win, despite lacking a cutting edge due to the loss of Largie Ramazani to an ankle injury. They next take on former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle and oddly Leeds may turn to a player in Rooney’s mold to get the job done.
QUIZ: Can you name the missing sponsor on these 10 Leeds United shirts?
Leeds United have their own Wayne Rooney
Football Fancast have said that Leeds are brewing their own Wayne Rooney at present in the shape of young forward Mateo Joseph. Like Rooney, Joseph was a cut above those of his own age at academy level scoring 16 goals and notching two assists in 21 games in the 2022/23 season.
He has since made a real impression in the first team and is scoring a goal for every four starts so far this season. With questions being raised about Joel Piroe at the moment, Joseph may get the nod and could trouble Manchester United and Everton legend Rooney if he can get the goals flowing.
