5 things we learned from Leeds United friendly v Wrexham with youngster promise and Harry Wilson danger

Leeds United were beaten 3-2 by Championship side Wrexham in the club’s first pre-season friendly in America - but what did the game tell us? Here are five key points learned from the loss to Phil Parkinson’s side.

Sean Longstaff firmly in the centre midfield starting mix

Much will depend on what formation Daniel Farke opts to go with but it’s pretty much a given that captain Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach would be guaranteed starters in the middle of the park come the new campaign. Then it’s a case of whether there is a third centre midfielder starting or instead an extra forward/no 10 - or a back five as was the case for the second half of last season. Ao Tanaka, Sean Longstaff and Ilia Gruev are the other natural centre midfield options at present but Longstaff’s display against Wrexham was a reminder that he could be more than just an option from the bench for example. The former Newcastle United man was already playing well even before getting himself a goal and it should be remembered that he was a regular starter at the beginning of last season. Right in the mix on this evidence.

4-2-3-1 might be the new system

The switch to a back five during the half-time break of United’s defeat at Manchester City in November undoubtedly transformed United’s season. From then on, Farke went with a three-man centre-back axis with wing backs, usually then with two midfielders behind a front three - or three midfielders behind a front two. But Farke has always been flexible with his formations and the Whites boss went to a back four for the second half against Wrexham having initially lined up with a back three which was perhaps needs must with centre-backs missing. To start with, Joe Rodon had James Justin and young Alfie Cresswell either side of him in a three-man centre back axis but Leeds looked and proved vulnerable with Rodon unusually below par. United, though, looked much better in that department after the break as Ethan Ampadu dropped back from his normal centre midfield role to partner Rodon in a back four in which Jayden Bogle and Justin were the full backs. That then meant two midfielders in front of the defence and a front line of Lukas Nmecha up front, Harry Wilson as a no 10 and Dan James and Willy Gnonto as the wingers. In the end it all petered out a bit and Leeds ultimately still lost but only after Ao Tanaka lost possession in the middle of the park and essentially the system looked to suit them well, particularly Wilson as a 10. It will be interesting to see how Farke plays it in the next friendlies.

Dangerous Harry Wilson looks set for immediate lift off

It’s hardly a surprise given Wilson’s brilliant year for Fulham last season but the Wales international star proved dangerous within two minutes of being on the pitch after being brought on for his Whites debut at the break, chipping in a lovely through ball for Gnonto who should have scored. Thereafter, Wilson continued to buzz about, generally looking like causing problems and he nearly saved the day in the 93rd minute with a chipped effort that went just over the bar. Put simply, he’s a class player and an incredible signing on a free. That said, it can still take players time to settle in but Wilson also has his Wales international teammates to help with that at Leeds and everything points to him hitting immediate left off at Elland Road. Just a case of whether or not he starts as a no 10 or on the right wing. A good headache to have.

Callum Mills heads up a new bunch of talented youngsters

The Leeds travelling squad announced for the games in America featured a lot of youngsters - more perhaps than you might expect - and three of those youngsters in full-back Jayden Lienou, centre-back Alfie Cresswell and attacking midfielder Callum Mills were all handed starts against Wrexham. Things proved difficult for Lienou and Cresswell in a completely new defence that struggled but the pair still performed with credit and ahead of them Mills proved the star act on the youngsters front. Playing just behind Joel Piroe as an attacking midfielder, he gradually began to ping some nice passes about with good movement too and his gem of a ball for Sean Longstaff should have led to Gnonto putting Leeds in front just before the break. You wouldn’t want to get too carried away about a friendly but Mills in particular looked a very bright young talent at just 17 years of age. Fellow young attacking midfielders Rhys Chadwick and Ollie Pickles were then brought on with 15 minutes left and both did okay without setting the world alight. Another young pair in Charlie Crew and Freddie Lane came on even later and too late to get involved although Crew almost set up an equalising goal. Mills, though, who only signed his first pro deal in the summer was clearly the youngster who impressed the most and looks one to watch.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jaka Bijol both injured

Leeds revealed upon announcing their travelling squad for America that winger Noah Okafor was being given an extended break after reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup with Switzerland so his absence was no surprise. The Whites had also said that some players would be joining later than others in light of their World Cup minutes which explains the absences of Brenden Aaronson, Gabi Gudmundsson and Tarik Muharemovic although the latter pair were both present. But Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jaka Bijol were two big notable omissions from the match night squad, the pair not involved along with Sebastiaan Bornauw and Ilia Gruev. News then emerged that Calvert-Lewin had suffered a small set back in pre season which prevented him from completing his individual programme. He’s now training individually on camp and building up to returning to team training and playing. Bijol meanwhile has taken a knock to his knee. Bornauw is said to have only a minor issue and was thus not risked whilst Gruev’s absence could have been expected given he suffered a meniscus knee injury towards the end of the campaign. But the injuries to DCL and Bijol are hardly ideal, DCL’s absence’s in particular again showing just how light Leeds are upfront with Joel Piroe and Lukas Nmecha the only other ‘natural’ centre forward options. Other than Piroe’s neat backheeled finish to draw Leeds level, neither really got going, Piroe seeing his early penalty bounce back off the post in a mixed bag half for him. Nmecha, brought on at the break, looked in good shape and held the ball up well at times but he was unable to threaten the goal and getting another striker in would look a wise move.