In a lively pre‑season exhibition at Dublin’s iconic Croke Park, Manchester United faced off against former rivals Leeds United, with the match ending in a 1‑1 stalemate before United ultimately prevailed 5‑4 in the penalty shoot‑out. The game was highlighted by goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Brenden Aaronson, but the headline surrounding the fixture was the absence of Marcus Rashford, who has not donned a United shirt in competitive action for more than a year and a half. Despite his non‑appearance, manager Michael Carrick made it clear that Rashford remains very much part of the club’s future, noting his return from a brief Old Trafford hiatus in "great spirits" and emphasizing that the forward "offers us something a bit different".
The atmosphere at Croke Park, which can hold up to 82,000 spectators, was electric as fans eagerly awaited a glimpse of Rashford’s reintegration under Carrick’s stewardship. Instead, the manager opted to give a substantial amount of playing time to a group of younger players, allowing them to experience a full‑length friendly against a quality opponent. Among the youngsters, full‑back Harry Amass stood out, earning praise for his composure and defensive contributions throughout the match. Leeds, coached by Daniel Farke, entered the encounter with a strong pre‑season record, having netted ten goals across five friendly fixtures.
Their attacking intent was evident early on, with Bryan Mbeumo delivering a precise low cross that Joshua Zirkzee calmly slotted home to give United the lead. The goal, recorded at the 16‑minute mark, showcased Zirkzee’s intelligent movement and finishing ability, and it set the tone for a match that would see both sides trade chances. Leeds responded swiftly. In the 29th minute, Dan James collected a long ball from goalkeeper James Trafford, skillfully evading Ayden Heaven before laying the ball off to Brenden Aaronson, who tapped home to level the scores.
The equaliser highlighted Leeds’ quick transition play and Aaronson’s knack for finding space in the box. Both teams continued to press, creating a series of half‑chances that kept the crowd engaged. As the first half concluded, Carrick made a strategic decision to hold back several senior United players, including the newly signed Youri Tielemans and the ever‑influential Bruno Fernandes, until after the hour mark. This approach allowed the manager to assess the fitness and form of his younger squad while still preserving the option to inject experience later in the game.
The second half saw a flurry of substitutions. At the 46th minute, Leeds made a wholesale change to their starting eleven, introducing Harry Wilson, Dom Calvert‑Lewin and Noah Okafor among others, signalling the club’s desire to give their fringe players valuable minutes.
United, in turn, brought on Fernandes, Tielemans and Matheus Cunha at the 60‑minute point. The inclusion of these seasoned professionals immediately raised the tempo, with Fernandes linking up with Tielemans to create a series of incisive passes that tested the Leeds defence.
Fernandes, who had been the subject of enthusiastic chants from the United supporters – “Bruno, Bruno, Bruno” echoed throughout the stadium – appeared to be on the verge of scoring when his effort was ruled out for off‑side. Moments later, he struck a powerful shot that rattled the crossbar, further amplifying the drama.
The combination of Fernandes and Tielemans also provided Cunha with a platform to sharpen his finishing ahead of the upcoming season. The match ultimately proceeded to a penalty shoot‑out after regular time ended level.
Leeds’ Harry Wilson missed his first spot‑kick, but the miss was mitigated when Fernandes also failed to convert his attempt. The decisive moment arrived when James Justin’s penalty was saved, allowing United’s Noussair Mazraoui to step up and slot the winning spot‑kick, clinching the shoot‑out 5‑4 in favour of Carrick’s side.
In post‑match comments, Carrick addressed the ongoing saga of Marcus Rashford. He affirmed, "He's our player. He's come back great.
I've known Marcus a long time, he offers us something a bit different. He's trained only two or three days and it's all normal. He's come back in great spirits.
We're looking forward to the start of the season." These remarks underscored the manager’s confidence that Rashford will be fully integrated once he regains match fitness. Leeds manager Daniel Farke also used the occasion to praise his new goalkeeper, James Trafford.
Farke said, "He has the potential to be world‑class. If he keeps going like this he will rise to the top.
We have a feeling he can make a big difference, a top‑class No 1 is crucial for the club and I pushed very hard for this transfer. I'm very happy. It was a good debut, we're all delighted to have him." Overall, the friendly served multiple purposes: it offered United’s academy graduates a chance to showcase their abilities against a reputable opponent, provided Leeds with further evidence of their attacking depth, and gave fans a tantalising glimpse of the tactical options that Michael Carrick may employ once the Premier League campaign begins. While Rashford’s absence was felt, the manager’s assurances suggest that the England forward will soon re‑join his teammates, adding his unique skill set to a United side that already appears well‑balanced and full of promise for the upcoming season.