In a devastating turn of events, Brazil’s Neymar was forced to leave the field in tears during the 2-0 loss to Uruguay, signaling a potential serious knee injury.

The Challenging Moment:

Landing awkwardly while contesting the ball with Nicolas de la Cruz, the 31-year-old forward, now with Al-Hilal, cast a shadow over Brazil’s performance in Montevideo.

Concerns Among Teammates:

Expressing concern, Brazil captain Casemiro spoke to Globo television, stating, “He’s an important player for us; we’re very fond of him. He’s been suffering a lot from injuries, and when he starts to pick up the pace, he gets injured again.”

Uruguay’s Victory and Nunez’s Impact:
Uruguay, led by former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa, secured a historic win against Brazil with Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez scoring the opener with a header and assisting De la Cruz for their second goal.

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Bielsa was happy to bring home three points after the team’s win at the weekend. Leeds beat rock-bottom side Norwich City on Halloween afternoon.

Ireland’s Andrew Omobamidele got a comeback goal for the Canary’s but Raphinha and Rodrigo strikes were enough for the Whites to clinch a victory. This win now puts the club in 17th place level on points with Watford and Aston Villa.

With only two wins in ten matches, most Leeds fans will not be happy with their start of the season. Now the club will look for new signings in the winter transfer window to bolster their squad and fix their problems.

Raul de Tomas

Leeds will join a transfer battle with Tottenham Hotspur for Espanyol forward Raul de Thomas. The 27-year-old striker has made a big impression in La Liga in the last few seasons.

He has scored six goals and got two assists in 11 appearances so far this season. He has an estimated transfer value of just under €15 million so he could prove to be a good deal for the Yorkshire club.

Leeds’ main man Patrick Bamford spent much of the last few months on the injury table. This problem has taught Bielsa an important lesson in Premier League management. The Spaniard relied too heavily on Bamford last season and has not found a suitable replacement for him.

RDT delivers once again!

Espanyol take the lead just before half time through Raúl de Tomás pic.twitter.com/VM1NuyaqW7

— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) October 18, 2021

John Swift

Bielsa is also looking to improve his midfield line. The club has shown interest in signing Reading’s talismanic central midfielder Swift.

They will need to fight with Brentford and Newcastle for the Englishman’s signature. The 26-year-old has an estimated transfer value of just over €4 million but probably will go for more in January.

He has found the net eight times and provided six assists in 15 appearances in the Championship this year.

Swift would be a very welcome addition to Bielsa’s team, giving a much-needed rest to Dallas, Klich, and Rodrigo.

John swift… that’s it pic.twitter.com/tz8nVSOmmV

— Josh Laurent (@JoshLaurent28) September 11, 2021

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And to read more in-depth and up-to-date Premier League and international club football news, click here.

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For the first time in over 6000 days, Whites fans were able to see their team play a Premier League match. A massive 3,000 supporters traveled to Old Trafford for a day that they would ultimately want to forget.

What started evenly suddenly got out of hand. Manchester United’s masterful performance was mainly down to their two stars, Bruno Fernandes who scored a hat-trick, and Paul Pogba who assisted four of the five goals.

Although Leeds defended admirably in the first half, they rarely looked like scoring. Luke Ayling took the only meaningful shot at goal, a 30-yard pile driver that hit the top corner past a helpless David De Gea.

Leeds United celebrating at Manchester United yesterday #LUFC pic.twitter.com/79WA6jw83R

— FootballAwaydays (@Awaydays23) August 15, 2021

Once that goal went in, the Reds moved to top gear. They ran away with the game in the final 40 minutes, scoring another four past Ilan Meslier.

This was a tough day for the French shot-stopper who played his first game since signing a new long-term deal with the club.

As Leeds looked witless, Man United brought on a few substitutes, Nemanja Matic, Anthony Martial, and Jadon Sancho. The Reds were a different class and are beginning to look like the all-conquering side of the early Millenium.

As for Bielsa, he will need to look hard at this game. His side is no longer the unexpected surprise that it used to be, the Premier League has figured them out. The tactician will need to rework and train his team hard to have a different result in their next game.

The Whites will face Everton next Saturday, 21st of August, at 15:00 in Elland Road.

Leeds United at Manchester United yesterday #LUFC pic.twitter.com/7GDyaNVv2L

— FootballAwaydays (@Awaydays23) August 15, 2021

Match Facts

Man Utd

De Gea (GK), Shaw, Maguire, Lindelof, Wan-Bissaka, Fred, McTominay, Pogba, Fernandes, James, Greenwood.

Goalscorers

Fernandes 30′, 54′, 60′

Greenwood 52′

Fred 68′

Greenwood being used as a central striker gave Man Utd excellent tactical balance. Greenwood often drifted to the left which allowed Pogba to come inside & create and Greenwood also dropped deep with Bruno then running in-behind. These rotations caused havoc with Leeds’ defence. pic.twitter.com/AFvDVN8FDm

— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) August 15, 2021

Leeds Utd

Meslier (GK), Dallas, Cooper, Struijk, Ayling, Koch, Harrison, Klich, Rodrigo, Raphinha, Bamford.

Goals

Ayling 48′

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Arsenal travelled to Elland Road for this evening’s Premier League fixture. The two sides met in the FA cup at the beginning of the year, Arsenal got the better of Leeds back then as crowds watched the Gunners collect a 1-0 win. Today was a different story as a hard-working Leeds side were unfortunate not to claim 3 points.

Both managers have their connection to Pep Guardiola, Marcelo Bielsa having mentored the Manchester City manager. Adversely, Mikel Arteta benefitted from his time as Pep’s assistant manager from 2016 to 2019. Experience nearly paid dividend as Bielsa outclassed the Arsenal manager, but his men were unable to break the deadlock.

As is the case with most Leeds’ matches, an exciting affair was promised. Although there was no goals scored, that proved to be the case.

Leeds controlled much of the game. Arsenal consistently failed to get out of their own half due to the high pressing of Leeds. When they did get into the final third, they failed to break down the Leeds’ defence – other than a few occasions – and were hit on the counter with regularity.

Patrick Bamford had the first big chance of the game in the 12^th minute. Ezgjan Alioski’s great run and cross played Bamford in, but his touch was comfortably saved by Bernd Leno.

Arsenal man Nicolas Pepe very nearly opened the scoring in bizarre circumstances in the 20^th minute. After beating his opposite number a handful of times, the Ivorian swung in a cross turned shot which rattled off the crossbar.

Bamford had another good chance come the 30^th minute. After some good combination play from Mateusz Klich and Luke Ayling, the ball found its way into the box. After less than impressive defending from Gabriel, Bamford connected with ball on the half volley, but Bernd Leno produced a good save to keep the in-form striker out.

Stuart Dallas has played a lot of football this season already. The Northern Ireland international played 3 full 90 minutes during the international break as well as having played in every Premier League game thus far. He appears to be showing no signs of slowing down so far as he worked as hard as ever in this evening’s fixture. His persistence nearly paid off in the 33^rd minute after a fortunate touch into his path gave him a chance while in space. Unfortunately for him, he shot wide of the mark.

The first half finished scoreless as Leeds controlled the majority of the play and shut out Arsenal at nearly every occasion.

Arsenal’s task became even more difficult in the 50^th minute. £80 million man Nicolas Pepe was sent off for an off the ball incident involving Ezgjan Alioski. He walked down the tunnel in what was the first sending off of his professional career.

Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe is sent off for headbutting Ezgjan Alioski pic.twitter.com/5GrWsv9oEP

— B/R Football (@brfootball) NOVEMBER 22, 2020

Bernd Leno produced a stunning save in the 63^rd minute to deny Stuart Dallas. The Northern Irishman connected sweetly from just outside the box with his shot going into the top corner, but the German denied him with his agility and reflexes.

After a succession of missed half chances from Leeds, Rodrigo chance close in the 75^th minute. The former Valencia forward unleashed a piledriver from distance which just whistled wide of the post. A few more inches to the right and it would have been a certain goal for the Spaniard.

Just minutes later, Rodrigo had another effort from range. This time, his shot from the edge of the box rattled the crossbar before going out to safety.

Off the bar!

Rodrigo leaves Leno stranded but can only find the crossbar

Watch on Sky Sports PL
Follow #LEEARS here: https://t.co/ikn2qWt06u
Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/8aUBGP8Qez

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) NOVEMBER 22, 2020

In an unlikely turn of events, substitute Bukayo Saka had a chance to give Arsenal the lead in the 84^th minute. He was played through after a brilliant run and pass by Hector Bellerin but the new England star was unable to slot past the keeper despite being in space.

Leeds went close to a goal of their own in the 86^th minute, a cross from Ian Carlo Poveda met the head of Patrick Bamford. Again, though, he squandered the chance as his effort hit the post.

To add to the misfortune of Leeds, Rodrigo hit the woodwork again in the 94^th minute as the game ticked on.

That chance would prove to be the last as the match finished scoreless. Leeds can feel hard done by having controlled the majority of the game and creating most of the chances.

Arsenal play Wolves next weekend while Leeds play Everton as both teams will hope to collect 3 points.

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