EXCLUSIVE YEP
by Phil Hay
Manuel Rui Marques is set to part company with Leeds United after being told
he is free to leave Elland Road.
The Angolan international has been made available for transfer by boss
Dennis Wise after a deeply frustrating 18-month period with United, and he
will attempt to find a new club before the transfer window closes on January
31.
Marques appeared to be heading out of Leeds in November when chairman Ken
Bates revealed he was surplus to requirements at Elland Road, but the former
Stuttgart defender made a surprise appearance in Wise's starting line-up for
the 2-1 victory over Coventry City on New Year's Day.
The outing was his first in a league fixture for United, almost a year and a
half after he joined the club from Portuguese side Maritimo, but a solid
performance at centre-back saw him feature again during United's 3-1 defeat
to West Brom in the third round of the FA Cup.
His substitute appearance at The Hawthorns - only his third in total for
United - is expected to be his final game in a Leeds shirt, and the
29-year-old is seeking new employers with his contract at Elland Road ready
to expire at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, United's away trip to Birmingham City has been rearranged for
Tuesday, February 27 (ko 7.45pm).
16 January 2007