Manchester United vs Leeds preview and team news
By Joel Masibo, August 11, 2026Manchester United will continue their preparations for the new season when they take on Leeds United at Dublin’s Croke Park on Wednesday evening, August 12, 2026.
The encounter, scheduled for a 10:30 EAT kick-off, will be played before a capacity crowd and marks a significant occasion as the first association football club fixture staged at the famous Dublin venue.
Michael Carrick’s side have been based in County Kildare as they step up their work ahead of the new campaign. The meeting with Leeds also gives United an early chance to respond to their disappointing defeat against Daniel Farke’s team during the previous season.
Leeds claimed a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford in that fixture, with Lisandro Martinez controversially dismissed during the match.
There will be more than just pre-season preparation at stake in Dublin, with a trophy on offer. Should the two sides still be level after 90 minutes, the winner will be decided by a penalty shootout.
Manchester United team news
United will be hoping Senne Lammens and Matheus Cunha are available after both players missed the recent 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain because of minor illnesses.
Tom Heaton and Mason Mount were forced off with knocks during the team’s previous trip to Gothenburg.
Carrick made one alteration to the starting XI that defeated Atletico de Madrid 2-1, bringing Noussair Mazraoui into the side.
Several players have already added to their pre-season minutes, including Diogo Dalot, Youri Tielemans and captain Bruno Fernandes.
Benjamin Šeško has also travelled with the squad to Ireland. However, the forward has yet to feature since sustaining an injury during United’s victory over Liverpool in early May. Marcus Rashford is also with the team ahead of the friendly.
Leeds United preview
Leeds enjoyed a solid return to the Premier League last season, avoiding relegation with relative ease and finishing 14th in the standings.
Their record against United was particularly encouraging, as they collected four points from the two league meetings.
Leeds have also strengthened their squad during the summer. Goalkeeper James Trafford has arrived from Manchester City and could be handed his debut, while centre-back Tarik Muharemovic has joined from Italian club Sassuolo.
The Yorkshire club also secured Harry Wilson on a free transfer from Fulham, while former Manchester United player Dan James could feature against his old side.
Leeds enter the contest in good form during pre-season, having most recently defeated RB Leipzig 2-0. That result followed an impressive 4-2 victory over Liverpool in Chicago.
Recent history
Leeds’ victory at Old Trafford last season ended a long wait for a league win at the venue, dating back to 1980. It was also only their fifth league victory over United since the Premier League era began in 1992.
Before that defeat, Manchester United had gone unbeaten against Leeds since Harry Kewell scored the decisive goal in a 2002 meeting at Elland Road.
The clubs drew 1-1 when they met in January, with Matheus Cunha finding the net for United. That match was Ruben Amorim’s final game as manager.
United then suffered another setback in the return fixture at Old Trafford in April, losing 2-1 despite Casemiro getting on the scoresheet.
Wednesday’s meeting therefore offers both teams another opportunity to assess their squads as they continue preparations for the season ahead.