Leeds face potential defensive nightmare ahead of Premier League opener at Manchester United after Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk suffer injuries in friendly defeat

• Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa was given a double injury scare  on Saturday
• Spain international Diego Llorente was forced off during the first half
• Highly-rated Pascal Struijk was substituted late on during the 3-2 defeat

Marcelo Bielsa was given a double injury scare as defenders Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk limped out of Leeds’ 3-2 friendly defeat against Real Betis.

Spain international Llorente was forced off during the first half on Saturday with a leg injury and highly-rated Struijk was substituted late on following a heavy challenge by Nabil Fekir.

Captain Liam Cooper has yet to feature in pre-season and highly-rated centre-half Charlie Cresswell suffered a head knock during Friday’s friendly at Fleetwood.

After the latest injuries to Llorente and Struijk, Bielsa faces a potential defensive nightmare ahead of the Premier League opener at bitter rivals Manchester United on August 14.

Patrick Bamford and Mateusz Klich were on target in the friendly defeat at Loughborough University, with a trip to Ajax next up for Leeds on Wednesday.