Leeds United employee issues verdict on Junior Firpo starting v Man United
Noel Whelan has tipped Junior Firpo to return to the Leeds United starting XI against Manchester United.
The former Leeds striker and club ambassador, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 25-year-old’s natural fitness would allow him to step straight back into the lineup after five weeks out.
Speaking at his press conference on Friday (18 February), Marcelo Bielsa confirmed he expects to have Firpo available for contention ahead of Sunday’s game.
The left-back has missed Leeds’ last three league games after limping off in the win over West Ham.
Whelan suggested Bielsa and his coaching staff will have worked on getting Firpo back up to full speed on the training ground.
He tipped the summer signing to step back into the side for Manchester United’s visit to Old Trafford.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “One thing that I can say is he looks a very fit athlete, even if he’s been out for a couple of weeks without playing football.
“He will have had game time behind closed doors. He will have had game time and some good, rigorous training and fitness regimes to go through.
“I think when you’re looking at a vital game, you’ve got to have players out there that are going contribute. I feel that Junior Firpo is one that will contribute.
“That then allows Stuart Dallas, if fit, to move into that midfield area. There, he can really utilise that energy with his forward running and forward-thinking.”
Firpo has made 17 appearances across all competitions for Leeds since joining from Barcelona.
He has started 11 times in 14 Premier League outings so far.
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