Manchester United meet Leeds United in a pre-season friendly ahead of the new season as they cross the Irish Sea to play at Dublin’s Croke Park Stadium.
The Red Devils have been coasting through their pre-season till now, with victories over Wrexham, Rosenborg and Atletico Madrid, with their winning run coming to an end against Paris Saint-Germain, the match ending in a 1-1 stalemate. With a busy end to the transfer window coming up, Man United are ready to take on Leeds United and Ruben Amorim-led
AC Milan in their final two friendlies of the pre-season.
Manchester United Team News
Every healthy player has returned to the squad following the extended World Cup break for some of the members. Lisandro Martinez joined Michael Carrick’s team in Croke Park yesterday after reaching the World Cup final with Argentina. The only long-term casualty remains Manuel Ugarte, who faces an extended spell on the treatment table, sidelined with a serious knee injury picked up during Uruguay’s clash with Spain in Guadalajara.
Matthijs de Ligt continues his recovery programme, although he should be fit to start for the Premier League opener.
New signings Andrey Santos, Karl Darlow and Youri Tielemans have been working with the team closely during pre-season. All three of them are in contention to start the match versus Leeds. Tielemans came on as a substitute against PSG, and he could bench Kobbie Mainoo for a start tomorrow. Mason Mount’s involvement remains a doubt as he was withdrawn after a minor knock.
Senne Lammens, who missed the last match through illness, should start. Darlow is expected to be benched; however, Carrick could shake things up since Tom Heaton suffered a hamstring injury versus PSG and had to receive treatment on the field before being replaced by Dermot Mee.
Upfront, Marcus Rashford has returned to the United squad following his loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona. He last played for the club in December 2024 and will look for a positive season at his boyhood club once again. Patrick Dorgu should start, and Bryan Mbeumo is expected to lead the lines. Benjamin Sesko is fit to play, but he may be used as a substitute. Matheus Cunha has returned to the fold after representing Brazil in the World Cup, and it will be exciting to see Carrick’s choice in attack.
Predicted Line-ups
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Tielemans, Santos; Amad, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo.
Leeds United (3-4-3): Trafford; Muharemovic, Rodon, Bornauw; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Justin; James, Calvert-Lewin, Wilson.
