United Review | Leeds at Croke Park | Pre Season 2026

United 1 - 1 Leeds (The real United win 5-4 on penalties)

Another positive 90 minutes as we eventually defeated Leeds in our penultimate pre-season game, courtesy of a 5-4 win on penalties.

Author | Peter Shaw

Joshua Zirkzee opened the scoring for the Reds before Leeds equalised through Brenden Aaronson 13 minutes later. 

Carrick made three changes at half-time, bringing on Tynan Thompson, Toby Collyer and Dan Armer for Patrick Dorgu, Andrey Santos and Ayden Heaven respectively.

Lammens was called upon early in the second half, making a close-range save to deny Harry Wilson before comfortably dealing with Alfie Cresswell's effort from just outside the box.

More subs

Those Leeds chances prompted Carrick to make a further seven substitutions with just under half an hour remaining, with the likes of Fernandes, Youri Tielemans and Matheus Cunha introduced in the hope of finding a winner for United.

Dermot Mee, who replaced Lammens shortly after the hour, then denied Leeds a second goal with a fine save from James Justin's fierce effort.

Bruno created a number of chance in the second-half ad we pressed for a winner. The United captain was perhaps unlucky after he put the ball in the back of the net but it was rules out for offside   

It then went to spot-kicks, with Noussair Mazraoui eventually converting the winning penalty. This was before an uncharacteristic miss from the spot from our captain.

Ultimately though, another good preparation for the upcoming season. One more pre-season match left now and a reunion with Reuben Amorim. 

The whole squad was utilised

The match was another useful opportunity to give some of our younger players valuable minutes, with Dermot Mee replacing Senne Lammens in goal before going on to save a penalty in the shootout. Jack Fletcher also stepped up from the spot as the Reds ultimately came out on top.

Dan Armer, who replaced Ayden Heaven in defence, and Tynan Thompson, making his first appearance in red, also impressed and acquitted themselves extremely well.