Midway through the first half in Leeds United‘s long-awaited first Premier League clash at home to old rivals Manchester United since 2003, there was a break in play, allowing Kalvin Phillips to share a joke with the man he was tasked with hunting around the Elland Road turf, Bruno Fernandes.
After a couple of seconds, the ball was thrown back into play. Phillips immediately sprang into action, clattering into Fernandes in a bid to regain possession. The moment told you everything about Leeds’ much-loved midfield general.
Five so-called Super League sides have come to Elland Road this season and all of them have failed to come away with three points.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men have held Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and now Manchester United to low-scoring draws. Across the five games, Leeds have conceded just twice.
Four different centre-backs have featured in those strong defensive displays, with club captain Liam Cooper partnering Robin Koch in the early-season clashes with City and Arsenal, whereas academy graduate Pascal Struijk has featured alongside Diego Llorente against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Phillips’ presence at the base of Leeds’ midfield has been the common denominator, never shirking a tackle, breaking up attacks, nullifying some of the Premier League’s most dangerous and creative players.
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