Leeds secured a deadline day deal to sign Wales international full-back Connor Roberts on loan until the end of the season from Burnley but the 28-year-old signed too late to be involved in Friday night’s Championship clash at Bristol City.
Roberts was unveiled as a Leeds player at 11.15pm on Thursday night but an even later deal followed as young midfielder Sean McGurk sealed a permanent switch to League Two side Swindon Town. Following the earlier loan switch of Ian Poveda to Sheffield Wednesday, McGurk took the number of Elland Road exits in the January window up to nine.
Tottenham loanee Djed Spence was firstly sent back to his parent club before being loaned back out to Genoa and Luke Ayling was then given the green light to make the loan switch to Middlesbrough in search of more game time.
A permanent departure followed as young defender Leo Hjelde sealed a switch to Sunderland. There have also been loan exits for Darko Gyabi (Plymouth Argyle), Lewis Bate (MK Dons) and Jeremiah Mullen (Inverness Caledonian Thistle). The youngsters were all on the fringes of the first team squad but Ayling and Spence were very much in the reckoning to be part of a best XI and bench, even upon everybody being fully fit.
But Roberts can now be added to the mix and this is our idea of United’s new best XI and bench when everybody is available and fit.
7. CM: Archie Gray
A very hard call as to who partners Ampadu in the middle of the park between Glen Kamara, Ilia Gruev and Gray who could probably now be given a more gentle time of things as he grows and develops. But it's pretty clear how good he is and it's hard to imagine a best Leeds XI with him not in it. Photo: George Wood
8. LW: Crysencio Summerville
Star man on 12 goals and seven assists. Hard to say who United's best player is but Summerville surely near the top of the list and a nightmare for defenders. Photo: George Wood
9. RW: Dan James
End product was always a big question mark but ten goals and six assists has been the perfect answer to that. Photo: George Wood
10. ACM: Georginio Rutter
Record signing who has lit up the Championship and sits on five goals and nine assists - and could be on much more. United's main no 9 choice for a while but almost certainly at no 10 now in a best XI. Photo: George Wood
11. ST: Patrick Bamford
Back with a bang of late and has to be first choice to lead the line in current form. Photo: George Wood
12. Sub: Karl Darlow
Brought in as competition for Illan Meslier and back-up stopper but strongly challenged by Kristoffer Klaesson who has impressed when called upon. Photo: George Wood