Raphinha and Rodrigo likely to miss Leeds United's game against Manchester United

If the first half and particularly the middle of the season were partly shaped by the absences of key defensive signings Diego Llorente and Robin Koch, the latter part has seen the Whites have to do without the two players bought in the summer to give them extra attacking impetus.

Winger Raphinha limped off against Manchester City and missed Monday's 1-1 draw with Liverpool. He is a doubt for the weekend having not yet trained since.

Club record signing Rodrigo has had a bitty season thanks to acclimatising to a new role as an attacking midfielder, contracting Covid-19 and injury.

The £27m has not started a game since injuring his groin at Leicester City in January, and has only made three substitute appearances since. Coach Marcelo Bielsa has ruled him out of facing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

“With Raphinha we're controlling his rehabilitation on a daily basis,” said the Leeds coach. “Up until now he hasn't recovered sufficiently to be able to train yet.

“Rodrigo's in the last stages of his recovery but not well enough to feature this weekend.”

Rodrigo has been restricted to 12 Premier League starts this season.

Adam Forshaw has also suffered a setback on his return from long-term injury, picking up a muscle problem playing for the under-23s. Leeds have not yet put a timescale on his recovery.

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