Marcelo Bielsa channeling inner Tinkerman with importance of Leeds United's bench loud and clear

Nine players are now permitted to form a team's bench upon the return to action following the break in play due to the coronavirus pandemic with teams allowed to make five changes but only in three blocks, excluding half-time.

Pablo Hernandez proved the star name on United's bench for Saturday's hosting of Fulham upon the Spaniard's return from a minor muscle injury with Hernandez sat alongside Gjanni Alioski, Gaetano Berardi, Barry Douglas, Kamil Miazek, Ian Poveda, Jamie Shackleton, Jordan Stevens and Pascal Struijk.

At full strength, Jean-Kevin Augustin and Adam Forshaw would be added to the mix, if not starting that is, while the likes of young talents Robbie Gotts, Mateusz Bogusz, Alfie McCalmont and Ryan Edmondson are other options, as well as young 'keeper Elia Caprile.

Trailing 1-0 in last weekend's loss at Cardiff City, Alioski proved Bielsa's first port of call as a substitute on for Luke Ayling seeking more attacking influence from his full-backs.

Poveda then replaced Helder Costa out wide for his Whites debut by which time Leeds were 2-0 down before Gotts was introduced for Mateusz Klich.

United improved with the changes but ultimately fell to a 2-0 reverse as part of a disappointing display in South Wales.

But it was a very different story six days later against the Cottagers with Bielsa staying loyal to the same starting XI who this time led at the break through Patrick Bamford's opener despite being dominated by the Cottagers for most of the first half, the opening exchanges aside.

Class act Hernandez was always likely to be Bielsa's first port of call and the Spaniard was indeed introduced to the fray at half-time alongside Alioski who once again proved one of the first players United's head coach turned to.

Bamford and Costa were the players withdrawn as Tyler Roberts moved upfront and United's substitutes both had a major impact with Alioski netting United's second goal before a majestic pass from Hernandez set up Jack Harrison for United's third.

Douglas, also back from injury, was then introduced for Klich with ten minutes remaining before Poveda replaced Harrison another three minutes on.

And even then Bielsa really did channel his inner Tinkerman with Shackleton replacing Hernandez with one minute left with Bielsa feeling that 45 minutes was enough for United's Spanish magician.

United's head coach had literally made full use of the new rules by making five changes in four separate doses, the permitted three in play as well as at half-time.

It would now be no surprise if Bielsa named an unchanged XI for Tuesday night's hosting of Luton Town.

He might not be the Tinkerman, AKA Claudio Ranieri who was famed for making regular changes to his side.

But Bielsa is clearly not afraid to make alterations from the bench, changes that worked the oracle against Fulham and changes that could prove key as United take in their final seven games in the space of 23 days.