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New Leeds signing Weston McKennie speaks out on Jesse Marsch sacking after Man United draw.
New Leeds United signing Weston McKennie says he will “miss” Jesse Marsch but says the club squad cannot dwell on his sacking as they look to avoid relegation.
After less than a year as the club’s manager, Marsch, 49, was fired at the beginning of the week.
Leeds had dropped to 17th in the Premier League under the American, who took over for Marcelo Bielsa in February 2022, and had gone over three months without a league victory.
The American midfielder McKennie was signed by Marsch in January but was only at Elland Road for eight days before being let go.
McKennie made his Leeds debut in Marsch’s final game in charge – a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest – Following Leeds‘ 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Wednesday night, McKennie addressed the management transition.
‘Obviously every player here has gone through a phase where the manager has been changed and this was a quick turnaround,’ McKennie told Stadium Astro.
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‘We will miss him obviously but at the same time we’re focused on the job and getting points.
‘The new staff that came in at such short notice knew the job as well. We came here and took a point from Old Trafford, hopefully we can get all three next time at Elland Road.
‘For me it was probably the quickest manager change I’ve had. But I know I can play under any manager and hopefully we will find something who fits us well.’
Wilfried Gnonto’s early goal and Raphael Varane’s own goal just after halftime gave managerless Leeds a 2-0 lead over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
However, an in-form Marcus Rashford reduced the deficit at the hour mark, and the hosts were awarded a draw when Jadon Sancho scored his first Premier League goal since September.
McKennie added: ‘We can’t be too greedy. We wanted the three points but everything counts in this situation so we can’t moan about one.’
On Sunday, Manchester United will play in the return leg at Elland Road. By then, Leeds will have probably decided who will take over for Marsch, and they are considering Andoni Iraola of Rayo Vallecano and Arne Slot of Feyenoord.