Gabriel Agbonlahor has been no stranger to winding up Leeds fans this season, and his latest comments are no exception.
The former Aston Villa striker had previously questioned Marcelo Bielsa’s status as one of the game’s most influential tactical thinkers, a key influence on the likes of Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino, but was made to eat his words after United’s 3-0 win at Villa Park.
He’s since raised another criticism, suggesting that the Argentinian was “naive” for the attacking, front-foot tactics he deployed in the 4-1 defeat to Leicester City.
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“When you say is it admirable that the way Leeds don’t change the style, I think it’s a bit, sometimes it can be a bit naive, you know, for managers to not wanting to change their styles because if you’re playing against different teams, you have to change the style,” he told Football Insider .
“Leicester have shown what they’ve done to Manchester City, they sat behind the ball, counter-attacked and it worked.
“Leeds have played right into their hands, and I think a lot of people predicted that Leeds will lose against Leicester.
Saturday’s match is the first meeting between Leeds and Palace since a 2-2 Championship draw back in March 2013. It’s the first Premier League meeting since the 1997-98 season.
“Obviously Marcelo is a man who’s had a lot of success since coming to Leeds and I think it was an inspired decision to take him on as manager because he’s got them back into the Premier League, which so many people have tried and not been able to do,” said the Eagles boss.
“Now, of course, he’s started extremely well in the Premier League – his teams play some outstandingly good games.
“I’ve never met him, unfortunately. Of course I’ve always known about him, but I’m looking forward to meeting him.
“He’s a person for whom I have very much respect and I’m impressed by the type of football Leeds are playing.”
The 18-year-old striker, who was signed from beleaguered Wigan Athletic in the summer, is yet to make a first-team appearance but continues to stand out in the youth set-up.
Scoring two and having a hand in the other against the young Magpies, Leeds fans raved about the performance, with more than one on social media declaring the youngster declaring him “the next Wayne Rooney”.