Less 'tactical mysteries' says Marcelo Bielsa as Leeds United head to Tottenham Hotspur

Bielsa faced questions about his side’s open approach and style of play after Leeds were picked apart in the recent 6-2 defeat at Manchester United but the Whites head coach was quick to defend the way Leeds set up.

Leeds have since responded by recording back-to-back victories with a 1-0 triumph at home to Burnley followed by Tuesday night’s 5-0 romp at West Brom.

The wins moved Leeds up to 11th and United’s first assignment of 2021 now comes against Jose Mourinho’s seventh-placed Spurs side who are fourth favourites for the title and blessed with the attacking prowess of Kane and Son.

The duo sit joint second and seventh respectively in the Premier Division’s Golden Boot race having netted 20 of Tottenham’s 26 goals so far this season.

Bielsa admits Mourinho’s side are stacked with talented players and the United coach said Saturday's contest was more about Tottenham’s threats as a team than any great tactical intrigue.

“The battles are every time less tactical,” said Bielsa, asked how much he was relishing the tactical challenge of facing Mourinho.

“The games have two basic structures, where you wait in your own half or you go for them in their half.

“Or you go from one box to the other accumulating passes or go long and that’s how you attack.

“As a result there are less tactical mysteries than we think.

“With respect to Tottenham and the way they’re playing, they’re a very difficult team to face, in every position they have solid good players, they have options, they have strikers who can unbalance and they’re very clear on how they want to play.

“It’s a team in which you can clearly see the influence of the manager, they’re very competitive.”

Having netted five times in Tuesday night’s romp at West Brom, Bielsa’s Whites have now scored four more goals than today’s hosts with United’s tally of 30 being the fourth best in the division, albeit with Leeds having played one game more than most of the sides in the top ten.

Only leaders Liverpool, second-placed Manchester United and sixth-placed Chelsea have outscored Leeds though United also have the second worst defensive record in the division.

Assessing just how freely Leeds were scoring, Bielsa reasoned: “Our team gives a great importance to the offensive game.