Many fans will agree with the Leeds United manager's comments after the draw vs Man Utd

Leeds United have splashed more than £180million on transfer fees since earning promotion to the Premier League, but just £18m has been spent in attack - Noah Okafor.

Those minding the wage structure will argue that the actual figure is somewhat higher. Dominic Calvert-Lewin might have been free to acquire but not to sustain.

The same can apply for Harry Wilson. But Lukas Nmecha’s no-cost entrance means three of the five attackers brought in over the past two summers have been free agents, while a fourth, Jean-Matteo Bahoya, is - for now - on loan.

That is shrewd business. Leeds chiefs knew they took a risk in the first season up with Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha amid their injury pasts, but championed and backed the medical department to keep them on the pitch. This they did, and it underpinned Leeds’ survival success.

Survival is the aim this season too, but expectations have risen and keep rising with every week. The disappointment after taking on champions Arsenal (a 2-1 defeat) and Manchester United (a 1-1 draw) underlines the progress made under Daniel Farke over the past 11 months.

Just six league defeats in their last 32 matches is remarkable - and also brings with it new pressures, ones Farke has been keen to dilute. He has repeatedly stated how Leeds have not had two consecutive solid Premier League seasons for 25 years. Forty points is still the target.

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It is easy to get swept up in the wave of enthusiasm but it is pertinent to remember the only time that Leeds have scored more than once in their first seven league games was that 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle United, under the Elland Road lights; a special concoction.

Their xG per 90 minutes sits at 1.31 - which puts them 15th in the table. Their overall xG stands at 0.9, and they have actually scored nine goals.

Combining these two statistics together shows how Leeds are doing as expected with the chances they get, but that they are not creating many. Indeed, they also sit 15th in the ‘big chances created’ table.

It is not like Leeds sat on their hands this summer. They knew more creativity was needed. Wilson was brought in for this purpose, as was Bahoya.

Bahoya is young at 21 and has needed time to adapt - and not least get over an ankle injury sustained with France Under-21s - following his deadline day arrival. But so far, Wilson has not cut the mustard.

It’s very early and there are bags of time for this to change. Plus, Leeds cannot really lose out within finance rules given Wilson arrived for nothing.

With Bahoya, his loan deal could - and by all accounts probably will - turn into an obligation stretching to £21.4m. So Leeds could thereafter argue they have spent £39.4m on their attack since promotion.

The reality is that Bahoya, for all the exciting potential he may hold, was not the primary target. Leeds wanted Mykhailo Mudryk and were willing to do a loan deal. But that was only going to be short-term. With Bahoya, he is seen as a long-term investment.

That chimes in with the club’s path for the next few years; that Leeds need at least two more seasons of stability in the top tier before thinking about the next steps.

But their rate of progress and the context of the division this year - where 12 clubs have new managers and some nine teams are competing in Europe - paves a possible tunnel towards an outside European place for United.

At the same time, Leeds need to be in a good place before taking to the continent. As is the risk with current bottom club Sunderland - Sunday’s opponents - grab those horns too early and a shaky ride could be in store.

Yet Leeds would be competing in Europe after two Premier League seasons, rather than one. Having built a solid foundation, if United are to get a European finish, then they need to find more creativity in attack.

“The first steps at Premier League level were to strengthen the defence, the physicality, our defensive behaviour overall. We are excellent in these terms,” said Farke on Sunday.

“We didn’t have, perhaps, the signature signings in the offence. It’s a fact, but it’s like a house; you build step-by-step.

"You don’t start with the roof. The basics have to be right and for a promoted side, just last season, it’s important to do the basics.

“We want to improve step-by-step without risking the sustainability of the club. We also know what we have to do in the future if we want to speak about other goals.”

Farke has long stated that he does not like the January transfer window, and in the last three winters, Leeds have acquired just two players and both were loans (Connor Roberts from Burnley in 2024 and Facundo Buonanotte from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2026).

Leeds did pursue Jorgen Strand Larsen last January, so have shown intent. It seems clear that the next port of reinforcement has to be in the final third, whether that be a versatile 10 or another attacker.

Managing director Robbie Evans has explained how difficult the club found it trying to find a striker who fit their criteria in the summer, when more options are available, never mind the slimmer winter window.

It is feasible, therefore, that Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin remain the two centre-forwards all campaign. But whether it is indeed in January or beyond, Farke’s comments and the statistics thus far indicate that there can only be one place to bolster next.