Leeds United news: Whelan criticises Bielsa ‘mistake’ amid ‘strange’ Forshaw verdict
Noel Whelan has urged Marcelo Bielsa to fix his “mistake” and start Adam Forshaw when Leeds United take on Man United this weekend.
The former Whites striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed it was “strange” to see Mateusz Klich start in lieu of the 30-year-old in the loss against Everton.
Speaking after Leeds United fell 3-0 against Everton on Saturday (12 February) and quoted by Leeds Live, Bielsa admitted he had made an “error” by starting Klich in a defensive role – conceding that he “assigned a task to him that didn’t fit his characteristics”.
The Polish international was replaced by Forshaw at the interval after Everton raced to a 2-0 first-half lead.
Whelan urged Bielsa to start the former Middlesbrough man against fierce rivals Man United.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “Look, if you’re wanting a like-for-like or someone who is close to Kalvin Phillips, you don’t look any further than Adam Forshaw.
“In my opinion, he’s the best option in that defensive midfield role with Kalvin out.
“He’s very calm on the ball, takes the ball in brave areas, starts moves from the back, breaks things up – so it was strange to see Klich in that role last week.
“He’s more of an attacking player who can break down defences rather than sitting in front of the back four.
“Looking back, it was certainly a mistake to leave Forshaw on the bench – but it wasn’t just about him against Everton. Hopefully, Bielsa can fix it against Man United.”
Forshaw signed a new contract at Leeds United last month – keeping him at the club until June 2023.
The 30-year-old returned from an almost two-year injury layoff earlier this season.
In other news, pundit predicts top Leeds United youngsters may quit for triple-your-money deals after Bielsa confession.