Second-bottom Leeds announced at 12.30pm on Friday lunchtime that Gracia’s visa had been confirmed, paving the way for the 52-year-old former Watford boss to take his place in the home dugout for Saturday afternoon’s enormous showdown against the bottom-placed Saints.
Just 15 minutes after the work permit news had been revealed, Gracia then found himself facing his first set of questions from the media for the club’s pre-Southampton press conference. Gracia opted against attempting to delve into details when it came to the Leeds injuries and team news, stating only that he was aware there were players injured and some injured for a long time.
The Whites remained minus the services of seven players for last weekend’s trip to Everton for which Pascal Struijk and Marc Roca were still missing, joining Rodrigo, Luis Sinisterra, Adam Forshaw, Stuart Dallas and Archie Gray on the sidelines.
Captain Liam Cooper returned from a recent knock to take his place on the bench at Goodison Park but was not called for when the Whites lost Max Wober to a shoulder injury as Rasmus Kristensen instead replaced the Austrian at the half-time break.
Gracia was asked at Friday’s press conference how Leeds would play under his stewardship and declared that what mattered most was playing to his players’ strengths in whatever formation that may be. Leeds have been lining up in a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 of late and this is the XI that we think Gracia will send out to start against the Saints.
. GK - Illan Meslier
Meslier was quite clearly at fault for the goal that gave Everton victory at Goodison Park last weekend as he left a big gap for Seamus Coleman to exploit but the Frenchman is still miles clear as first choice keeper and has saved United on numerous occasions before. Gracia won't lose much sleep over the goalkeeping decision. Photo: Lewis Storey
. RB - Luke Ayling
A back four would seem the most likely defensive set up given that Gracia admitted at Friday's pre-match press conference that there was no time for sweeping big changes. Ayling has been clear first choice right back of late but moved to centre-back for the second half at Everton in replacing the injured Wober. But that was essentially because Struijk was still sidelined in addition to Cooper not being deemed ready and there ought to be a good chance that at least one of that pair will be back, even if Wober isn't. Photo: Stu Forster
7. CM - Weston McKennie
Leeds could really do with Marc Roca back for his passing from midfield which might then lead to a three-man centre midfield axis of Adams, Roca and Weston McKennie. But Roca failed to make the matchday squad at Everton after a recent knock so must be considered a doubt and perhaps the two man double pivot of the two USA internationals will be the way that Gracia goes. Young Darko Gyabi is another option but more likely one from the bench, comments that also apply to Sam Greenwood who shone off the bench as a no 10 for United's under-21s on Monday night. Photo: Stu Forster
8. RW - Crysencio Summerville
Gracia named the 4-4-2 as the first formation when reeling through possible options at his pre-match press conference and it's a system he has often used to good effect before. Leeds are not short on good winger options so it would make sense and Summerville would surely take out one of those positions. Photo: Stu Forster
9. LW - Brenden Aaronson
If Summerville takes out one of the wide slots then it will be one of Brenden Aaronson, Jack Harrison, Georginio Rutter or Willy Gnonto for the other. Star man Gnonto will clearly start but perhaps in the front line in which case it's a hard call between the other three, all of whom equally could play at no 10 also. Harrison has been off colour of late so maybe it will be Rutter or Aaronson, both of whom bagged 45 minutes for United's under-21s on Monday night. Aaronson scored the opener in that game and immediately had an extra spring in his step so perhaps he will now return to the side for the second of two changes, replacing Jack Harrison out of a three-man midfield. Photo: Stu Forster
10. ST - Willy Gnonto
The young Italian is clearly already United's main attacking threat and will probably be the first name that Gracia writes down, it's just a question of where. Gnonto has frequently sparkled out wide for Leeds since bursting on to the stage at Elland Road but the teenage sensation could not really get into the game from that position at Everton and perhaps Gracia will fancy him more in a central role which might be a good call. It's worth remembering that Gracia played Gerard Deulofeu as a second striker at Watford and Gnonto looks like an obvious candidate to play that role for him at Leeds. Photo: Stu Forster
11. ST - Patrick Bamford
It would be no surprise to see Gracia pair Bamford and record signing Georginio Rutter together in a front two but Rutter clearly looks like a work in progress, even though time is even more clearly of the essence for the Whites. Leeds need goals and Bamford is not providing them but his hold up play is badly missed when he's not there and he will surely start against the Saints. Rutter could play as a no 10, as could Harrison or Aaronson, but perhaps Gracia might try Bamford and Gnonto in a front two. Photo: PAUL ELLIS