Marcus Antonsson nets for Leeds United Under-23s - but Kalvin Phillips sees red

Phillips was dismissed late in the first half for two bookable offences and Sheffield United struck three times after half-time to overcome a 2-0 deficit and claim a tight win. The midfielder, whose forthcoming suspension will only apply to development-squad fixtures, and Antonsson were given the chance of a run-out with the Under-23s having been on the periphery of Garry Monk’s first team recently.

Phillips has not started a league game since the end of December and he failed to make Monk’s 18-man squad at Huddersfield Town yesterday despite travelling to the John Smith’s Stadium with the rest of United’s players.

Antonsson’s most recent start in the Championship came against Blackburn Rovers in September and he has been limited to a series of substitute appearances by Monk.

He was part of the squad at Huddersfield but sat on the bench throughout a 2-1 defeat.

Leeds committed around £1.5m to signing Antonsson from Swedish club Kalmar in June but signs of early promise faded and Monk’s commitment to a 4-2-3-1 system, with top scorer Chris Wood alone up front, has limited his chances of selection.

United were rumoured to be considering sending Antonsson out on loan before the end of the January transfer window but his agent, Anders Karlsson, told the YEP that the 25-year-old was “very happy in Leeds United”.

Antonsson scored Leeds’ third goal at Thorp Arch today, reducing Sheffield United’s lead to 4-3 late in the game.

First-half goals from Eoghan Stokes and Tom Pearce gave Leeds a 2-0 advantage but Phillips’ dismissal deep into first half injury-time helped Sheffield United to surge 4-2 ahead.