Well, where to start. Leeds United have gone through a tumultuous few months at the club, to say the least. In order to get a full grasp on things, let’s start in January.

Prior to current owner Massimo Cellino officially taking control of the club in April, Leeds United have been owned by a Middle East-based private equity group “GFH Capital,” who finalized a 100% takeover of the club from prior owner Ken Bates in November 2012. However, through the two years in which GFH was in control of the club, it seemed each day a new story of a consortium or minority group involved with GFH was coming on board and would be involved in some way at the club.

Then came “Sport Capital,” in January, a company Leeds United managing director David Haigh (who had been involved with GFH before joining the club upon the original takeover) was involved with. They were interested in acquiring a 75% state in the club from GFH. Yet, before we could even make it through a month, Sport Capital’s takeover fell apart due to a lack of finances.

In comes Cellino, the former president of Serie A club Cagliari. But, the hurdles weren’t over with just yet. After the club announced an exchange of contracts between the two parties on February 7, the Board of the Football League unanimously voted that Cellino did not meet their Owners and Director’s Test, putting yet another takeover of the club on hold. A formal appeal from Cellino followed.

Alas, on April 5, Cellino’s appeal was successful and the takeover was made official on April 10.

David Hockaday, whose only experience as a manager was with the Forest Green Rovers of the Conference Premier, was appointed manager on a two-year contract on June 19.

That didn’t last. He was gone in just 70 days. Academy manager Neil Redfearn was appointed caretaker on August 28 and all he did was get three wins in a draw during his stint in charge. So naturally, change was needed.

Next in line was Darko Milanic as he arrived from SK Sturm Graz in Austria on a two-year contract, with Redfearn stepping into a role as academy manager and head of coaching.

Just 32 days and six games without a win later, Milanic was gone. Redfearn has now been given the managerial reigns on a permanent basis with an initial 12-month deal.

Games have been happening during this, too.

The squad that has been assembled really isn’t as bad as its 15th place in the Championship table might elude to. Goalkeeper Marco Silvestri, who arrived from Serie A club Chievo this past summer, has been nothing short of magnificent in goal for The Whites starting all 17 league games thus far.

Goals haven’t really been the issue either. New signing Mirco Antenucci leads the team with five goals while Souleymane Doukara, another new face in the side this season, has scored four goals in 12 appearances. Alex Mowatt, a 19-year-old midfielder who’s been most recently linked with Everton and Aston Villa, has also made it on the scoresheet on four separate occasions and, along with academy product Lewis Cook, has benefited from Redfearn’s games in charge.

The defense has been somewhat lackluster conceding 24 goals thus far this season. Despite that ranking in the middle of the Championship, play along the back line needs improving. Former Chesterfield center back Liam Cooper did get a goal in their most recent win against Blackpool, but it was his play alongside mainstay center back Jason Pearce that really stood out. The play of Sam Byram was also much improved last time out (albeit against the Seasiders who are entrenched at the bottom of the table). Byram’s play hasn’t been near the level it was when he burst onto the scene two seasons ago, but he’s already amassed 82 appearances by the time he’s 21-years-old. Leeds United have had to fend off Premier League suitors in the past, so improvement from him can only mean good things for the club.

One pleasant surprise recently has been the play of midfielder Adryan, who’s on a season-long loan from Brazilian club Flamengo. Leeds United would have the option of a permanent move that would be in the region of £3 million. Fans of the FIFA franchise may recognize him as a youngster that had potential, but was always going to break your budget (at least that was always the case for me). As Yorkshire Evening Post writer Phil Hay put it: “The young Brazilian play-maker is starting to make a belated impact and get up to speed in the Championship and showed some tantalizing glimpses of the damage he can do.” If there’s one player to watch in the coming weeks and months on Leeds United, Adryan is going to be the one.

With wins against two of the top three teams in the table (Bournemouth, Middlesbrough) already this season, the international break offers Leeds United a chance to reassess and properly prepare for a trip to Ewood Park to face Blackburn and welcome league-leaders Derby County as their first two matches.

Best XI

GK – Marco Silvestri

D – Sam Byram

D – Jason Pearce (C)

D – Giuseppe Bellusci

D – Stephen Warnock

M – Adryan

M – Tomasso Bianchi
M – Alex Mowatt

M – Lewis Cook

F – Souleymane Doukara

F – Mirco Antenucci

Best Performer

Marco Silvestri

Most Improved Player

Adryan

ANN ARBOR, MICH. – It was billed as possibly being the largest soccer crowd in the history of the United States. And it didn’t disappoint.

In front of 109,318 fans at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., travelers from around the world that had descended on the town that houses the University of Michigan were treated to a spectacle that never had the feel of a pre-season warm-up match. As a part of the Guinness International Champions Cup, Manchester United were 3-1 winners over Real Madrid Saturday, advancing to the Guinness International Champions Cup Final Monday night at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.

Even though it was said in the days leading up to the match that Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn’t be available for the match, fans still got what they wanted, even if he only played for the final 15 minutes of the match. Ronaldo dazzled when he had the ball at his feet and the cell phone flashes were aplenty with many of the fans getting their very first glimpse in person of the Portuguese star.

It should be said that United fielded a much stronger side than Madrid could have. Players like Fabio Coentrao, Sami Khedira, Raphael Varane, Marcelo and Angel Di Maria were all deemed unavailable for the match. On the other side, it was the likes of Rafael, Chris Smalling and Nani who were the only ones either unavailable or didn’t feature.

From the start, it was United dominating the run of play. Through the first 10 minutes of the match, they were more composed and possessed the ball much better than Madrid. Specifically, the striking partnership of Wayne Rooney and Denny Welbeck, along with the involvement of Juan Mata playing behind them worked really well together.

United were able to strike first on some beautiful build-up play. Antonio Valencia played a ball to Fletcher down the right-hand side, who then used Wayne Rooney for a clever one-two, before a cross fell to Welbeck atop the 18-yard box. But, instead of shooting, he made the extra pass to a wide-open Ashley Young who beat Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas to the near post, making it 1-0.

But, just a few minutes later halfway through the first half, Gareth Bale began what would turn out to be a day-long clinic on United defender Michael Keane, beating him around the edge with pure speed and drawing a penalty just on the inside of the box. Bale stepped up and made United goalkeeper David De Gea guess the wrong way, easily converting to level things 1-1.

Before the break, Ashley Young used one of the many Louis van Gaal long balls in the game, attempting to try and find the head of Wayne Rooney. Rooney and Madrid defender Sergio Ramos both made an attempt to win the ball, but neither could get a touch on it. Casillas, anticipating a touch from either Rooney or Ramos, was out of position, and Young’s cross innocently found the back of the net, giving United a 2-1 lead heading into the break.

Real Madrid had a much better start to the second half, with Bale shouldering most of the attacking responsibilities. Young Spanish midfielder Isco also showed flashes of why Madrid thought highly enough of him to bring him aboard from Málaga in Jaunary 2013 for €35 million. The combination of Bale and Isco in the attack provided some relief for the back line, but it didn’t produce any goals. Ronaldo entered the match in the 74th minute, sending the crowd into a tizzy. However, no matter what Madrid tried, not much was getting through the United defense.

The addition of Javier Hernandez seemed to give the match another jolt of energy, making his runs in behind the back line as he loves to do. And sure enough, a ball from substitute Shinji Kagawa got in behind and Hernandez was waiting there to bury it in the back of the net, making it 3-1.

United was much the better team in Ann Arbor. The former Netherlands boss’ system at Manchester is really beginning to take hold and you’re seeing what type of effect it’s having. Darren Fletcher was bright and calm on the ball, distributing at a very high clip; Wayne Rooney was craving the ball up top; and Ashley Young, while making sure to include is patented diving exhibition once in a while, was able to finish when called upon.

Youngster Jesse Lingard, a 21-year-old who spent time on loan with Brighton & Hove Albion last season, is one name you may want to remember in the future. Another loan spell in the Championship this season would do him well the Englishman showed flashes of an up-and-coming winger.

Michigan Stadium is now in the record books for hosting the largest soccer match in U.S. history with attention now shifting to Monday’s final between United and rivals Liverpool.

Manchester United – David De Gea; Phil Johns, Jonny Evans (Tyler Blackett, 45’), Michael Keane; Ashley Young (Luke Shaw, 45’), Darren Fletcher, Ander Herrera (Tom Cleverley, 45’), Juan Mata (Shinji Kagawa, 62’), Antonio Valencia (Jesse Lingard, 62’); Danny Welbeck (Wilfried Zaha, 43’), Wayne Rooney (Javier Hernandez, 62’).

Real Madrid – Iker Casillas; Alvaro Arbeloa (Cristiano Ronaldo, 74’), Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Nacho Fernandez, Daniel Carvajl; Xabi Alonso (Raul de Tomas, 56’), Luka Modric, Isco, Asier Illarramendi; Gareth Bale

The 2014 International Champions Cup is sponsored by Guinness. You can follow Guinness on Twitter at @GuinnessUS.