Manchester United player Leeds once wanted to sign now confirms he will be available for free this summer

Defeat, however, would consign Leeds to another season of second-tier football, which 49ers Enterprises have already admitted would mean sales of key players are required.

That said, the free agent market is somewhere Leeds should be looking regardless of what happens in their game against Southampton tomorrow.

With the additions of Sam Byram and Joel Robles in the last two years, Leeds have used him decently of late, but there are always plenty of bargains to be had.

Former Leeds target Charlie McNeill to become a free agent

Leeds have already been linked with several out-of-contract players ahead of the summer, including Borussia Dortmund right-back Marius Wolf.

Elland Road are said to be a realistic option for Wolf if Leeds are promoted, while West Ham United’s Ben Johnson is also someone the Whites are in the running for at the end of his contract.

And another of their former targets has confirmed on Instagram that he will be available for free this summer, with Charlie McNeill set to leave Manchester United.

McNeill was scouted by Leeds in 2020 while still a teenager at Manchester City, but opted to move to Old Trafford instead.

However, it would be fair to say that McNeill’s decision to move to Man United has not worked out, having played just six minutes of senior football and now being without a club at the age of 20.

On leaving, McNeill said: “My time at Manchester United has come to an end and I would like to thank all the coaches, staff, fans and everyone involved at the club for the best four years so far.

“From joining the club, to winning the FA Youth Cup, to making my first team debut at 18, which was my dream come true. I will forever be grateful that I got that opportunity and lived my dream of playing at the Theater of Dreams for my childhood club, for which I can thank the manager.

“I made lifelong friends and learned valuable lessons along the way. I love the club and it will always have a special place in my heart. Once red, always red.”

Leeds should avoid making a second move for McNeill

It would be fair to say that Leeds’ U21s are in need of strengthening this summer, given how many of that squad from the last few years have moved on to senior football.

Archie Gray is now a key player in the first team at Leeds, while Leo Hjelde and Lewis Bate are among those who have left. The latter, of course, was only on loan, but now he is out of contract.

However, at 20, McNeill is at the point in his career where he needs to play regular first-team minutes somewhere, and Leeds simply aren’t a place that can offer that given his lack of experience.