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Joe Mewis

Marcelo Bielsa confirms Leeds United's starting XI to face Manchester United

Marcelo Bielsa has named an unchanged Leeds United XI for this afternoon's clash against Manchester United.

Leeds have crossed the Pennines to renew their rivalry with the Red Devils on the back of a thumping 5-2 midweek victory over Newcastle United and know that a win today would see them move within three points of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

With defenders Diego Llorente and Robin Koch still out injured it Bielsa has kept the faith with the starting XI that emphatically defeated the Magpies.

That means ever-present Illan Meslier continues in goal, with a backline of Stuart Dallas, Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper and Gjanni Alioski.

Kalvin Phillips will operate in his usual role in front of the defence, with Mateusz Klich ahead of him and record signing Rodrigo also playing centrally.

Raphinha and Jack Harrison will again be on the flanks, with leading scorer Patrick Bamford leading the line and looking to add to his nine Premier League goals so far this season.

Premier League sides voted earlier this week to increase the matchday squad to 20 players, meaning that Bielsa has been able to name nine players on the bench, meaning Helder Costa returns to the matchday squad, along with Oliver Casey in the only additions to Wednesday night's squad.

Dan James, who came so close to joining Leeds at the end of the January 2019 transfer window, starts for the first time since October for the hosts, while Paul Pogba and fit-again Edinson Cavani are on the bench. Dean Henderson also drops out of the starting line-up, with David De Gea replacing the former Sheffield United loan man.

Leeds begin the day 14th in the table, but a victory could see them move into the top half.

Leeds United: Meslier; Dallas, Ayling, Cooper, Alioksi; Phillips; Raphinha, Klich, Rodrigo, Harrison; Bamford.

Subs: Poveda, Roberts, Casilla, Hernandez, Struijk, Davis, Shackleton, Costa, Casey

Manchester United: De Gea, Lindelof, Maguire, Martial, Rashford, Fred, B. Fernandes James, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, McTominay

Subs: Henderson, Alex Telles, Bailly, Mata, Matic, Pogba, Van de Beek, Cavani, Greenwood

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