Leeds United kicked off pre-season with a tidy 0-0 against Manchester United in Stockholm.
Two different XIs across the halves gave Daniel Farke a good early look at his squad.
The shape held, fitness looked fine for week one, and there was a clear plan in and out of possession.
New boys Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Gabriel Gudmundsson, and Sean Longstaff all got minutes, with Longstaff settling in fast after only just signing.
Tempo dipped a bit (normal first game stuff) but the attitude was spot on.
Fans Rave Over Lively Gnonto
While people watched the fresh signings, Wilfried Gnonto grabbed the noise.
He looked sharp, bouncy, and direct. Quick first touch, low centre, little bursts inside defenders.
Supporters online were buzzing, saying he looked like his “old” self again. Confidence seemed higher.
He asked for the ball, did not hide, and worked both ways when out of possession.
For a player who had a mixed last campaign, this felt like a reset moment.
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Manor Solomon Hole, Already Filled?
The left side is likely covered long term with Dan James after his new deal.
The right flank felt more open after Manor Solomon went back to Spurs post-loan.
Club links to Igor Paixao (reported fee near the mid‑twenties million mark) show Farke wants extra wing threat.
Still, if Gnonto hits top level again, pressure to splash big on another wide man eases.
That saves cash for other gaps, a goalkeeper, maybe an extra striker, extra depth pieces.
Reported budget talk (large figure getting trimmed by each deal) means every internal “win” helps.
A firing Gnonto is like a fresh signing without the check.
Why Premier League Return Suits Him
In the Championship last year he had spells where rivals doubled him and sat deep.
Back in the Premier League, many sides press higher and leave little channels to exploit.
That suits Gnonto’s quick turning and dart runs between full-back and centre-half.
More space, more damage. If he adds consistent final balls, early cut-backs, low near-post shots, quick lay-offs into runners, he can lock down the right side.
Farke loves wide players who tuck in then spring out; Gnonto showed those patterns already.
Tactical and Money Knock-On
If Paixao (or a similar profile) still arrives, Farke can rotate, Paixao left/right, James left, Gnonto right or inverted, plus Nmecha drifting.
If not, Leeds are not stuck. Gnonto stepping up means funds can shift into spine positions.
It also pushes standards for others: any dip and he keeps the shirt. Healthy internal push lifts overall level.
Next Steps
One good pre-season outing does not seal the season, but early signs matter.
Keep the sharp touches, build match rhythm in Germany, add the end product before the Everton opener that is the path.
Do that and “replacement” talk fades; he becomes the mainstay, not the stand‑in.
Leeds may have hunted for a Manor Solomon heir.
The answer might already be in the dressing room wearing a big grin and dancing past defenders.
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