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.
13. Sub: Sam Byram
Might well start at left back in a best XI - touch and go between Byram and Firpo - but a must for the bench if not, providing cover at both left-back and right-back. Photo: Jess Hornby
14. Sub: Liam Cooper
The dependable club captain and the chief replacement centre-back option although Ampadu can also drop into defence which could effect the bench somewhat, possibly meaning no place for Charlie Cresswell. Photo: George Wood
15. Sub: Glen Kamara
Much better than bench material but they can't all start. The first of two very strong options aside from Ampadu and Gray in midfield. Photo: George Wood
16. Sub: Ilia Gruev
Another who could already be considered a starter in a strongest XI such is the strength of the recent impression he has made in centre midfield, especially when lining up in the deeper middle-of-the-park role. Photo: Nick Potts
17. Sub: Willy Gnonto
On to the attackers. Gnonto was back with a bang in Friday night's clash at Bristol City in which he scored the only goal of the game upon being handed a chance in the line-up due to James being out with an adductor injury. If impacts like that are continued he will be very much pushing for a place in the XI but Summerville and James have to be the starters at present. Photo: George Wood
18. Sub: Jaidon Anthony
Gnonto was preferred to Anthony as the replacement for James at Bristol City on Friday and Gnonto certainly made the most of his chance but Anthony is another strong attacking option from the bench. Photo: Matt McNulty