12 August 2026

Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, staged Manchester United’s Battle of the Roses pre-season friendly against Leeds United.

United came into the game after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain, while Leeds arrived on the back of a comfortable 2-0 victory over RB Leipzig.

With local pride and bragging rights at stake, the contest always looked likely to be fiercely competitive, and that is exactly how it unfolded. In the 16th minute, Joshua Zirkzee put the Red Devils in front, but Brenden Aaronson levelled 13 minutes later after United were punished for a lapse in concentration.

From that point on, both teams had opportunities that might have decided the match. Senne Lammens produced a number of excellent saves, while Bruno Fernandes believed he had put United back ahead, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

In the end, despite the quality on show and both sides pushing for a winner, the match finished 1–1. United then prevailed 5-4 in the penalty shootout.

There was plenty to take away from the game, and here is what we learned:

Bryan Mbeumo is clearly in excellent form. Before the Leeds match, he had been averaging a goal every 84 minutes, and he continued that impressive pre-season trend here.

The Cameroon international looked sharp throughout, constantly positive in his approach and keen to drive the team forward. Whenever he had the ball, he was a threat, and his movement repeatedly caused problems for the Leeds defence.

He supplied a brilliant assist for Joshua Zirkzee’s opening goal and nearly put United back in front before half-time with a stunning effort that crashed against the crossbar.

While Mbeumo was causing Leeds all sorts of trouble, Zirkzee also turned in a very good display in the number 10 role. If the Dutch forward was making a case for himself in that position, he certainly did his chances no harm.

His combination play was crisp and his through balls carried real intent; one such pass should have been finished by Harry Amass, who missed the chance to hurt Leeds.

Zirkzee’s calmly taken goal, after earlier frustration in front of goal, should do his confidence a world of good. If he remains at the club, it could give him extra motivation to kick on and impress even more.

As was also evident against PSG, and now again against Leeds, United are pressing with real aggression whenever they lose the ball. That immediate and relentless pressure points to a fresh hunger in this side, and it is something that should trouble opponents.

Beyond that pressing game, United also look dangerous in transition. The speed with which they break forward, if they can maintain it, is likely to catch many teams by surprise next season. If they can combine that transitional threat with control, it could become the formula that allows United to dominate matches.

Andrey Santos has impressed up to this point, but against Leeds he was not quite as authoritative as he had been in the previous friendlies. His influence dipped a little, and United’s midfield did not function with the same fluency.

Mason Mount and Santos had started to build what looked like a promising partnership, one that Michael Carrick may well have trusted for the league opener against Hull City. However, Mount’s injury — he has not trained since the PSG game — is a concern, especially as there is no certainty over when he will return.

Carrick had the option of trying out a Santos-Youri Tielemans midfield pairing, but decided against it. Hopefully, he will give that combination a look against AC Milan.

Worth highlighting

At least United did not concede early on this occasion, having done so against both Atlético Madrid and PSG.

It was also encouraging to see Tynan Thompson make his debut, with the 18-year-old coming on and looking lively down the left wing. Although Carrick did not test the Santos-Tielemans combination, he did give a run-out to the Leny Yoro-Ayden Heaven centre-back pairing, a partnership some believe could develop into one of the best over the next few years once it fully clicks.

That said, Fernandes’ cameo was outstanding. Every time he got the ball in front of goal, he looked capable of scoring.

Up next

After the Battle of the Roses, United are set for an intriguing reunion with former head coach Ruben Amorim when they face AC Milan in Poland on Saturday.

Milan are still without a win in three matches under Amorim, and United have the chance to make it four, despite suggestions that the Portuguese coach will name his strongest side for the occasion.