Leeds are down in Australia for a pre-season tour which will see the Whites square up to Manchester United on Wednesday. But before United face the Red Devils, some Leeds fans have been reacting on social media to a clip showing Pablo Hernandez and Adam Forshaw in training.
A selection of the supporters reacting to the footage have been left somewhat disheartened, however, as Hernandez can be seen running in a straight line toward Forshaw’s right-hand side, before darting past the 27-year-old central-midfielder as he turns to his left.
But despite the downbeat responses, the drill is likely intended to leave Forshaw on the wrong side of the forward, as it tests the Liverpool-born midfielder’s ability to change direction and pick up speed to catch up with the ball before the opposition is able to create an opening to score.
Forshaw’s fitness may be somewhat of a concern for Marcelo Bielsa going into the upcoming campaign, as the former Middlesbrough man only started 20 of his 31 second-tier outings upon his arrival at Elland Road last summer, playing 1,909 of a possible 4,320 minutes – including the Play-Off Semi-Finals.
Hernandez, on the other hand, played the fourth-most minutes of any United player in the 2018/19 season, with 3,515 to his name from 41 appearances, whilst returning 12 goals and 12 assists to lead the club for goal involvement.
Here’s how these fans reacted to Forshaw being beaten with ease by Hernandez in training…
I think that more highlights how inept Forshaw is
— Aram (@AramLeeds) July 15, 2019
He’s running in a straight line and has still managed to fool forshaw – imagine my shock ????????????
— Ron (@ronaallleeds) July 16, 2019
Why does Foreshaw turn & run the other way ? Wish that was how our opposition played !! Not very encouraging. #lufc
— Watt The (@WattThe2) July 15, 2019
I’m trying to work out what the exercise is and if Pablo did a move to look like he was going the way Adam ran . Because he should be running the other way to push Pablo off the ball
— James Howson (@BigJimmy_V) July 16, 2019
Forshaw pants!!!
— L33D5 UN1T3D (@LeeTate764) July 15, 2019
Forshaw standing square on helped abit ????
— Lee Rudd (@ruddo78) July 16, 2019
Don’t think anyone has actually realised but it’s a training session he’s meant to run that way a catch up with the ball its fitness test ????
— Sam Duggan (@samdugg38075222) July 15, 2019
You realise that this is a training drill, and Pablo hasn’t actually skinned him?
— Lee.ds (@anyoldsport) July 16, 2019