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Joe Donnohue

Leeds United team news confirmed as Marcelo Bielsa makes decisive Kalvin Phillips call

Leeds United arrive at Old Trafford this afternoon looking to build on last season's ninth place finish with a positive start.

The Whites drew 0-0 with this afternoon's hosts at Elland Road back in April, a game in which Kalvin Phillips starred.

The England international suffocated Manchester United's talisman Bruno Fernandes in that game - something which did not happen at Old Trafford last time out.

One of the big talking points surrounding this afternoon's fixture is the readiness of Kalvin Phillips.

Marcelo Bielsa confirmed the 25-year-old had undergone roughly half of the pre-season schedule his teammates have been subjected to, casting doubt over his starting place today.

Robin Koch has deputised in defensive midfield throughout pre-season - and continues in that role today.

This afternoon Bielsa has named a starting XI he deems fit to challenge for all three points against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's outfit.

Goalkeeper Illan Meslier starts in goal having signed a new contract with the club running until 2026.

Meanwhile, new addition Kristoffer Klaesson starts on the bench.

This summer's marquee Leeds United addition Junior Firpo begins his Whites career on the bench, with Stuart Dallas taking up the left-back berth

Unsurprisingly, Liam Cooper and Luke Ayling start in defence, having both featured in Bielsa's first game against Stoke City three years ago.

In attack, with a fresh call-up to the Brazilian national team, Raphinha will feature in front of a capacity stadium in English football for the very first time.

Alongside him is Jack Harrison and Patrick Bamford, two of last season's most reliable and dependable attacking outlets.

Named on the bench is Adam Forshaw, 23 months after his last appearance in a first-team squad.

LEEDS UNITED XI: Meslier, Ayling, Cooper, Struijk, Dallas; Koch, Klich Rodrigo; Harrison, Raphinha, Bamford

Substitutes: Klaesson, Junior, Shackleton, Phillips, Forshaw, Roberts, Costa, Summerville, Greenwood

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Lindelof, Maguire, Pogba, Greenwood, Fred, Bruno Fernandes, James, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, McTominay

Substitutes: Heaton, Dalot, Williams, Andreas Pereira, Mata, Matic, Van de Beek, Martial, Sancho

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