Joshua Zirkzee and Brenden Aaronson scored as Manchester United and old foes Leeds played out an entertaining 1-1 friendly draw at the spiritual home of Irish sport in Dublin, before the concluding shoot-out was edged 5-4 by Michael Carrick's side.

2026 Club Friendlies

1-1

Match Report 

On the eve of the new Premier League season, all the talk was about Marcus Rashford and his reintegration under Carrick, but the 82,000-strong crowd at Croke Park were not treated to a first glimpse of the forward in a Man Utd shirt for over 18 months.

Nor did they get to see a number of other high-profile stars until after the hour mark, Carrick instead choosing to give a raft of youngsters a proper run-out. His side improved immeasurably after the introduction of Bruno Fernandes and new signing Youri Tielemans, though, combining effectively to offer Matheus Cunha some pre-season shooting practice.

Fernandes himself was played through by Luke Shaw in the second period, much to the delight of the pro-United fanbase, who chanted 'Bruno, Bruno, Bruno' for large portions of the night, but his strike was flagged offside. He also struck the crossbar late on.

Of those senior regulars who did start, Bryan Mbeumo caught the eye, showing impressive intensity to tee-up Zirkzee for the game's opener. Dan James and Aaronson were Leeds' conspirators shortly after to turn home their first of five shots on target. Daniel Farke's side have scored a tidy 10 goals in five pre-season outings this summer.

The game was decided by a tight penalty shoot-out, where both sides missed, before Noussair Mazraoui stepped up to convert the winning spot-kick.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!


7' Match Event for Man Utd vs Leeds United


10' Match Event for Man Utd vs Leeds United


16' GOAL! Man Utd 1-0 Leeds United (Joshua Zirkzee)



26' Highlight from Man Utd vs Leeds United


29' GOAL! Man Utd 1-1 Leeds United (Brenden Aaronson)



38' Highlight from Man Utd vs Leeds United


54' Match Event for Man Utd vs Leeds United


55' Match Event for Man Utd vs Leeds United


59' Match Event for Man Utd vs Leeds United


60' Highlight from Man Utd vs Leeds United


77' Highlight from Man Utd vs Leeds United


81' Highlight from Man Utd vs Leeds United


Line-ups

Man Utd XI: Dalot, Bryan Mbeumo, Zirkzee, Senne Lammens, Amad Diallo Traore, Yoro, Andrey Santos, Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, Tyler Fletcher, Harry Amass

Subs: Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, Tielemans, Mazraoui, Matheus Cunha, Collyer, Solomon Honor, Dermot Mee, Jack Fletcher, Shea Lacey, Daniel Armer, Fred Heath, Tynan Thompson, JJ Gabriel

Leeds United XI: Daniel James, Nmecha, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jayden Bogle, Sean Longstaff, Ao Tanaka, Jaka Bijol, Brenden Aaronson, James Trafford, Tarik Muharemović, Rhys Chadwick

Subs: Alex Cairns, Harry Wilson, Calvert-Lewin, Justin, Joe Rodon, Ampadu, Joël Piroe, Okafor, Anton Stach, Wilfried Gnonto, Rory Mahady, Alfie Cresswell, Jayden Lienou, Callum Mills