Manchester United Secures Preseason Victory
Manchester United Secures Preseason Victory
Manchester United defeated Leeds United in a preseason fixture held at Croke Park in Dublin. The match, part of the BOYLE Sports Cup, was decided by a penalty shootout after the teams were level at full time. Joshua Zirkzee opened the scoring for United after 16 minutes.
Zirkzee’s goal, his second of the summer preseason, came after a play initiated by Bryan Mbeumo. Mbeumo advanced past his marker and delivered a pass that Zirkzee converted. Leeds equalized in the 29th minute following a mistake by Tyler Fletcher in midfield, which Brenden Aaronson capitalized on.
The game remained level until the final whistle, leading to a penalty shootout. United ultimately outlasted Leeds in the shootout, despite a miss from Bruno Fernandes.
Zirkzee’s Performance and Future
Zirkzee’s goal provided a moment of relief, particularly after he had missed an earlier opportunity from a cross by Diogo Dalot. He also had another chance in the 19th minute that he did not convert. His involvement in the game reportedly diminished after this, with Mbeumo taking a more prominent role.
Zirkzee made his exit from the match just after the hour-mark. He has been linked with a move to Serie A, with Juventus reportedly interested. Since joining United from Bologna, Zirkzee has scored nine goals in 75 appearances. His two preseason goals this summer match his total from the entirety of last season.
Left-Back Situation and Player Returns
United is reportedly seeking a left-back this summer, as Luke Shaw is the only natural first-team option and has faced injuries. The club has been linked with Lewis Hall, though Newcastle United appears unwilling to let him leave. With the 2026–27 Premier League campaign set to begin in just over a week, United is exploring alternatives.
One internal option being considered is Harry Amass, an academy product. Amass made his first preseason start against Leeds and demonstrated composure in possession, making few errors. He also showed an ability to operate in tight spaces and made effective decisions regarding when to push forward or cover defensively.
The only instance where Amass was out of position occurred after Fletcher’s giveaway, which allowed Aaronson to advance centrally while Amass was wide. Amass reportedly adjusted his play following this moment, improving his coverage for the center backs during transitions.
Other players also returned to action. Senne Lammens, who was recently given the No. 1 shirt, made his first appearance of the summer. The goalkeeper returned after his error contributed to Belgium’s World Cup exit. Lammens made three saves in 61 minutes, conceding one goal.
Matheus Cunha also returned following Brazil’s World Cup exit in the round of 16. The forward, who had been battling illness, entered the game in the 61st minute. Cunha completed 10 passes and did not register a shot during his appearance, though he did convert his penalty in the shootout. His involvement against AC Milan this weekend is considered important for regaining match fitness before United faces Hull City on August 22.
Other Club Friendlies Results
In other club friendly matches on Wednesday, Nottingham Forest defeated Bayer Leverkusen. Napoli secured a win against Aris. Panionios won a penalty shootout against Kalamata after their match ended level at full time.
Additional results include Volos NFC defeating Olympiakos Piraeus II, Levadiakos winning against Atromitos, and Asteras Tripolis defeating AEK Larnaca. Eintracht Frankfurt secured a victory against FSV Frankfurt. Other matches included Málaga against Fulham, Alcorcón against Rayo Majadahonda, FC Cartagena against Orihuela, and Real Unión against Osasuna II.
Source: bbc.com
