Jermaine Beckford has claimed that Leeds United's sacking of Jesse Marsch was not "ideal" timing for the club and admitted that the Whites will have been left with "an element of frustration" following their 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Leeds' first Premier League game without Marsch saw them share the points with Man United in the first of a doubleheader. The return fixture at Elland Road will come this Sunday and the Whites will take confidence from the game at Old Trafford that they can go one step further and claim all three points.
It is still yet to be seen whether Michael Skubala will be in the dugout once again or if the club would have found a replacement for their former American head coach.
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Regardless of who is in place, Beckford felt as if Marsch's dismissal, although understandable, could have come at a better time for the club.
"It was fantastic to see the reaction from the Leeds United players last night [Wednesday] against Manchester United,” he told Sky Sports. “I don’t think the timing of it [Marsch’s sacking] was ideal, but there were other things in place that forced the hands of the Leeds United owners and directors.
“Jesse was a fantastic guy, a lovely person, one of the nicest people you will ever meet and he wanted to know you as a person and as a sports person.”
Beckford also shared his thoughts on the Man United result and admitted that although it was a shame to not to have won the match, there are still plenty of positives to take from it.
“There would be an element of frustration naturally. You’ve gone two-nil up against massive rivals and you’re playing away at Old Trafford as well so there will be an element of frustration that you’re not coming away with all three points.
“However, when you take into account Manchester United have won the last 13 games at Old Trafford in a row [before the 2-2 draw with Leeds], I think to walk away from there with a point is a huge, huge bonus itself.
“So yes, there is an element of frustration, but yes there is also an appreciation for that point as well. It has taken Leeds United a point further away from the relegation zone which is ultimately the aim.”
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