Rodrigo, Tyler Adams, Luis Sinisterra and Jack Harrison were arguably the four biggest departures of the summer and very likely four players who would have started in a best Whites XI in the Premier League, never mind in English football’s second tier.
Yet several of United’s summer signings have already impressed and there are two more yet to feature in Jaidon Anthony and Ilia Gruev who both joined the club too late to play a part in Saturday’s Championship hosting of Sheffield Wednesday.
Leeds also have six players still out injured and here we look at an idea of Daniel Farke’s new strongest Leeds line-up when everyone is fit and nine-man bench.
7. CM - Glen Kamara
This almost feels like it should be Archie Gray, even at 17 years old and even with everybody fit and back. After all, despite his age, Gray has been one of United's best players so far this season, very impressive in midfield and offering a forward threat. He could even start as a no 10. But Kamara is a vastly experienced midfielder who arrives at the club with a wealth of big level games under his belt from Rangers and he won't have signed to sit on he bench. Gruev is the other chief option, and Stuart Dallas when returning as well as the versatile Shackleton. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
8. RW: Willy Gnonto
Quite the saga during the summer transfer window but Leeds ultimately ended up keeping hold of Gnonto and there can't be much doubt that he needs to be in a best XI when firing, even in spite of the raft of other options. An option as a no 10, or even upfront in the position that he plays for Italy at times, but Gnonto's best moments for Leeds have come when starting out wide. Photo: George Tewkesbury
9. LW: Jaidon Anthony
The deadline night loanee signing from Bournemouth might need a bit of time to settle in but Anthony definitely appeals as a likely starter given his talent but also his CV which has 30 Premier League outings on it and a Championship promotion with Bournemouth too. The 23-year-old bagged eight goals and six assists to help Bournemouth to promotion as Championship runners-up from the 2021-22 season in which he started 38 of his side’s 46 league games. Having continued his progression in the Premier League, it's not hard to see him becoming a first choice starter for Leeds, probably on the left. He might not be Luis Sinisterra but a very good player in his own right. Photo: LINDSEY PARNABY
10. ACM: Crysencio Summerville
This is anyone's guess in Leeds United's quest for an established first choice no 10 but Summerville might end up being the shout following the arrival of Anthony on the assumption that the Bournemouth man becomes a starter out wide. Joel Piroe has started United's last two games in the position behind Georginio Rutter as the 9 and Leeds scored four at Ipswich via that set up. But Piroe struggled in the role in the goalless draw at home to Sheffield Wednesday and the prolific forward will surely be better off up tops. It might be that Rutter emerges as United's best no 10 option but Summerville often drifts in from the right anyhow and could well prove best suited to the role although the possibilities are endless with Ian Poveda, Gnonto and Joe Gelhardt other options too - or keeping Piroe as a no 10 behind either Rutter or Patrick Bamford. Photo: Alex Caparros
11. ST: Joel Piroe
Piroe failed to fire or even get involved much playing in the no 10 role against Sheffield Wednesday and it remains to be seen how long Farke perseveres with that for. Put simply, goals win games and sticking the prolific Piroe upfront just looks the obvious best port of call, even allowing for his display as a 10 at Ipswich, or the fact highlighted by Farke that he played as more of a '10' at Swansea and scored lots of goals by arriving from deep. It might depend somewhat on the opposition but there can be no doubt that Piroe makes the strongest XI in the front two yet it would be no surprise whatsoever if Farke opted for Patrick Bamford as his no 9 when fit with Piroe either in behind or alongside. It's hard to know what the Whites boss will opt for but it's not hard to say that Piroe must start and the gut feeling is play him as a 9 and sort the no 10 or strike partner around that. The Dutchman netted 19 goals for the Swans last season and achieving something similar is likely to be key to United's promotion prospects. Photo: George Tewkesbury
12. Sub: Karl Darlow
Sorting United's bench with everybody fit is a right old puzzle given the wealth of options available but Darlow is an easy one as clear main goalkeeping competition for Meslier. Photo: George Wood