Gary Neville has a message for Leeds United fans as criticism for Brenden Aaronson continues
No player gets more criticism in this Leeds side than Brenden Aaronson. There are a few reasons for that. The weight of a £25m transfer fee, his lack of physicality, and his decision to leave on loan in 2023.
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Aaronson was one of eight players to use Victor Orta’s loan clause after Leeds were relegated at the end of 2022-23. The USA international would join German side Union, before facing the ignominy of a return.
This season is Aaronson’s fourth on the books at Leeds, and while the criticism continues to pour in, he remains a valued part of Farke’s side. Yet on Saturday, Aaronson came on to some Leeds fans booing him.
Gary Neville heaps praise on Brenden Aaronson after criticism
If it wasn’t just the boos on Saturday night following his introduction, it has been the constant criticism for him this season. Not just among fans, but pundits too. Jon Newsome said Leeds should have sold him.
But following the boos, Aaronson impressed. It was his interplay with Willy Gnonto that created Leeds’ second goal. A superb move that eventually saw Aaronson find Anton Stach with an incisive inside pass.
Stach did the rest, wrong-footing Alisson. Speaking on his Sky Sports podcast, Gary Neville heaped huge praise on Aaronson. Neville claims Aaronson and Gnonto changed the game for Leeds against Liverpool.
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“Those subs, I thought it was going through the motions, protecting players, three games in a week, rolling the dice. But they played. Some of the football between Aaronson and Gnonto was really good.
“Stach scores off the back of it. A couple of Leeds fans had been asking for a plan B, well now they have two plans. They can play, but they can play that more physical way. Astonishing week,” Neville continued.
Daniel Farke’s Brenden Aaronson plea falls on deaf ears
Despite his sparkling performance against West Ham, an assist against Nottingham Forest and now another goal involvement, Aaronson has never been able to win over the Leeds fans during his spell.
Leeds United fans told they’re being unfair on Brenden Aaronson 🗣️
“The criticism he’s got is not fair. Players don’t like it. We are working with human beings. Let’s not treat him like he’s a product. We have to treat him in a fair way. Best offensive player stats in last few games.”
Daniel Farke on Brenden Aaronson
After a poor display against Aston Villa – most Leeds players played poorly – Farke launched a defiant defence of Aaronson. He urged supporters to lay off the American and reminded all he is a human too.
But Saturday’s instant reaction to Aaronson’s introduction into the game saw Farke’s request go unheard. Aaronson though, let his football do the talking and those who did boo, have since been criticised.
At least when Aaronson does come off the bench against Brentford, or whenever he plays next, fans will be less inclined to criticise. Especially, when he’s earning praise from the likes of Neville.