Leeds United drew 1-1 with Manchester United in a pre-season friendly at Dublin's Croke Park this week, with Brenden Aaronson netting the equaliser. Manchester United won the post-match penalty shootout 5-4. The historic venue, which had not hosted a soccer match since 2009, was sold out for the first-ever club game between two English sides at the 82,300-capacity ground.
Joshua Zirkzee gave Michael Carrick's Manchester United side a 15th-minute lead after a swift counter-attack. Leeds levelled the score just before the half-hour mark when Daniel James capitalised on a Tyler Fletcher error to set up United States international Aaronson for a composed finish. Daniel Farke made ten changes to his Leeds lineup at halftime, while Carrick rotated his entire Manchester United team in two waves.
Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens made a vital save to deny new Leeds signing Harry Wilson early in the second half, preserving the 1-1 scoreline. Bruno Fernandes, introduced for the final half-hour, came close to a winner for United when his powerful strike rattled the crossbar with five minutes of normal time remaining. Fernandes then missed his penalty in the shootout, but Noussair Mazraoui converted the decisive spot-kick in sudden death to secure the shootout victory for Manchester United. Mason Mount and Harry Maguire were absent as a precaution for United, with Marcus Rashford's return anticipated in their next friendly against AC Milan.
Leeds United began the match in a 4-3-3 formation. James Trafford started in goal behind a back four of Oliver Bogle, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol and Tijjani Muharemovic. The midfield trio consisted of Sean Longstaff, Regan Chadwick and Ao Tanaka, with Daniel James, Lukas Nmecha and Brenden Aaronson forming the front line. Farke's extensive changes at the break saw the likes of Wilfried Gnonto, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Harry Wilson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin enter the fray.
The match served as a significant pre-season test for both clubs ahead of the new Premier League campaign. For Leeds, it provided valuable minutes for new arrivals and returning players within Daniel Farke's system. The fixture also highlighted the strong Irish support for both historic clubs, contributing to a vibrant atmosphere at the iconic Gaelic games venue.
The teams now continue their preparations, with Leeds United's next match set for Saturday against European opposition.
