Noah Okafor’s impressive performance has earned him a spot on the shortlist for the Premier League Player of the Month award. He contributed three goals and one assist as Leeds collected seven points from nine in their recent matches.
Before this, expectations were modest for Leeds United. The team struggled to find consistency, and their last league victory at Old Trafford came in 1981. Yet, Okafor’s decisive moment came when he struck twice before halftime to secure a 2-1 win against Manchester United.
In addition to his goals against Manchester United, Okafor played a pivotal role in a 3-0 victory over Wolves. He assisted James Justin with a bicycle-kick goal and finished a rapid counter less than 90 seconds later.
Despite his contributions, there are concerns about Okafor’s fitness. He is managing a calf problem sustained during last week’s FA Cup semi-final defeat. Officials have not confirmed whether he will be available for the upcoming match against Burnley.
Key statistics:
- Okafor scored three goals and provided one assist in his last three matches.
- Leeds collected seven points from three matches, with nine points available.
- He scored two goals in the match against Manchester United, marking Leeds’ first league victory there since 1981.
The competition for the Player of the Month award is fierce. Dominic Calvert-Lewin won December’s award after scoring six goals in five matches. Okafor’s recent form puts him in contention as fans cast their votes until April 12.
With uncertainty surrounding his availability, Leeds United will need to adapt quickly if he cannot play against Burnley. His impact on the team’s performance has been significant over recent weeks.