The Whites could take a leaf out of recently-promoted Burnley’s relegation playbook by starting afresh with a squad eager to represent Leeds and restore their top flight status.
Coming down from the Premier League, United will be in receipt of parachute payments – 55 per cent (£44.5m) of equal share broadcast revenue in the first year after relegation – which despite losing out on the full amount, will still offer Leeds a financial advantage over their divisional rivals in 2023/24.
Consequently, Leeds will be able to offer comparably more lucrative deals to potential transfer targets than the majority of the second tier.
As such, here are seven players from the Football League Leeds could try to lure to Elland Road with the considerable pull of representing an historic club and fanbase, in addition to a more competitive pay offering than fellow EFL clubs.
7. James Trafford: Manchester City (on loan to Bolton Wanderers during 2022/23)
Trafford kept 22 clean sheets in League One last season during his loan spell at the University of Bolton Stadium. His play-off final bow against Barnsley may have ended in disappointment but the England Under-21 stopper certainly impressed, conceding just 34 times in 45 league appearances. He remains contracted to Man City until 2027 but will be behind Ederson and Stefan Ortega in the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium. Given Leeds could be expected to lose Illan Meslier, Joel Robles and Kristoffer Klaesson this summer, going big on Trafford could solve a potentially problem position. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) Photo: Michael Steele