13 Aug 2026 09:48:29
My brother-in-law got tickets for last night's match, so I had the pleasure of seeing our team live in a great stadium in front of 82,000 fans. Lovely to see competing fans sitting together, and even some Leeds parents with MU kids, and no aggro. Very hard to learn much from a preseason friendly but a few things were obvious. Great to have a real keeper again. (Cairns did nothing wrong in H2 but we need a bigger and better backup) . Tanaka started and was poor. Not sure he’s going to cut it at this level. Tarik was excellent and we seem well served with CBs. Agree with the comments on Bornauw. He was excellent on rhs in H1 and centrally in H2. Willy was a revelation at right wing back in H2 and got some great blocks and tackles in while still getting forward and linking well.

Longstaff looks fully fit and had a good H1. Wilson may provide some of that central creativity and linked well. Okafor had their defence on toast for pace and occasionally played centrally alongside DCL. Alfie settled in well after a poor H2 start. Definitely a prospect.
If the performance was indicative of the season ahead I think we may be in better shape as a team than MU acknowledging that they have some excellent and expensive individual stars. Had dinner in a lovely gastropub called Hera about 10 minutes from the ground. Well worth a visit. Hopefully 1 or 2 late additions and I think we should be in good shape.

1.) 13 Aug 2026
13 Aug 2026 11:53:05
Great perspectives! Ta for sharing 6p! Glad you enjoyed it!

2.) 13 Aug 2026
13 Aug 2026 12:18:07
Six, I remember those days, mixing with other supporters, no aggro. Nice to see. As you said, mate, total family affair and a great game. Only bad point was we lost on that penalty. Fully enjoyed it.

3.) 13 Aug 2026
13 Aug 2026 12:34:36
Good summing up, Sixpence. Caught 70 odd minutes on the telly. Very fair assessment from what I saw.

As you say, great to see fans actually mixing together, made for a real change!

4.) 13 Aug 2026
13 Aug 2026 13:16:38
as for Leeds parents with MU kids - I can only hope social services have been notified

5.) 13 Aug 2026
13 Aug 2026 13:47:19
I expected more than we got from Wilson, but it's very early days, so I'll pass on that. Otherwise, I concur with all you say, Six. I was very happy with Okafor, who terrorised their defensive right side, and Willy was a revelation at RWB.

Trafford's distribution was noticeably better than Darlow or Perri. As well as his tackling and heading prowess, Mahremovic has excellent positional awareness. So far so good.

6.) 13 Aug 2026
13 Aug 2026 18:57:20
I have a feeling, JR, that it will suddenly click for Wilson and Okafor - they are learning about each other and then one day - boom!

Let's hope that's a match in early September as opposed to next March. :)