The Marc of a true leader

MARCELO BIELSA’S legendary status at Leeds is secure. United’s Premier League status is more precarious.

Leeds are fighting to survive in the top flight this season, and beating today’s opponents Burnley will be a big step to safety.

Panic buttons should not be pushed at Elland Road yet, despite conceding 16 goals in their previous four games, and collecting just six points from the last 24 available.

Current form suggests it will be Norwich, Burnley and one of Newcastle – or more likely Watford – heading to the Championship.

Newcastle’s hopes depend on a massive squad revamp this month, and the fragile fitness of Callum

Wilson – or a new goalscorer arriving.

Bielsa’s Leeds are probably too good to go down. Recent grim results can be partly explained by injuries to Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips (left) – not fit until March – and other big influences including Liam Cooper.

It may amaze those looking in from the outside how popular Bielsa remains, despite the team going backwards from last season.

On Friday, Bielsa directly invited all the blame for results to be heaped on himself. He said he had failed to find solutions. He claimed the “resources” he had provided to his players had not been good enough.

And he admitted his attempts to organise the defence had not worked.

Where rival bosses trot out excuses blaming referees, VAR, past managers, and luck for their plight, it has been an admirable show in leadership from Bielsa. It relieves the pressure on his depleted squad, leaves fans to work out what the real problems are – yes, injuries mainly – and Bielsa walks into battle leading from the front.

Hopefully his boardroom bosses will notice this and give him some ammunition in the transfer window.

Certainly his players will want to give their all for a manager soaking up the pressure on their behalf.

That’s why even in the tough times, Bielsa is loved by the Leeds faithful.