Manchester United kick-start their pre-season in earnest with a friendly against fierce rivals Leeds United in Sweden this afternoon.
There is no love lost between the cross-Penine foes and with Leeds having earned promotion from the Championship a couple of months ago, they’ll meet twice in the Premier League this season. Before that, they’re doing battle at the Friends Arena in Stockholm as part of their warm-up matches for the new campaign.
Most eyes will be on United’s £62.5m man Matheus Cunha, who is set for an eagerly-anticipated Red Devils debut after his move from Wolves earlier this summer, although Bryan Mbeumo hasn’t officially arrived from Brentford yet, so his first appearance will have to wait.
Everything is building towards the opening weekend of Premier League action when Leeds will face Everton at Elland Road on August 18, with Man Utd playing a day earlier as they take on Arsenal in a blockbuster Super Sunday clash.
Follow all the action from the pre-season friendly with our live blog below:
Man United v Leeds - live updates
- Manchester United face Leeds in a pre-season friendly in Sweden | Kick-off at 2pm BST, live on MUTV
- The cross-Penine rivals will do battle as part of their pre-season preparations ahead of the new campaign
- £62.5m signing from Wolves Matheus Cunha is set to make his Man United debut
Fans out in force
16:30 , Callum Rice-CoatesNot far from a sellout at the Strawberry Arena, where over 45,000 fans attended.
👏 Thank you to the 45,345 who have joined us in Stockholm for today’s clash! pic.twitter.com/qy5F7pB0pW
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 19, 2025
Full-time: Man United 0-0 Leeds
16:04 , Callum Rice-CoatesThat’s it! An underwhelming game in the end; typical pre-season stuff you could say. But it’s minutes in the legs for players on both sides ahead of the Premier League season.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
16:03 , Callum Rice-Coates90+2 mins: Dalot is set away down the right and finds Dorgu with his pull back. But the latter blazes his shot over.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
16:01 , Callum Rice-Coates90+1 mins: Three minutes of added time will be played.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
16:01 , Callum Rice-Coates90 mins: Another chance for United, who are finishing strongly. The ball drops to Dorgu in the box, but his side-footed effort hits Hojlund. Then Mount tries a first-time shot and sends it over the bar.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
16:00 , Callum Rice-Coates88 mins: So close! United somehow don’t score. Mount swings a corner into the box and Hojlund wins his header, guiding the ball towards the six-yard box. Mainoo meets it and hits the bar from close range. Heaven can’t convert the rebound, nor can Mainoo at the second attempt. Leeds clear.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
15:57 , Callum Rice-Coates86 mins: Leeds youngster Charlie Crew is on for Gruev.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
15:54 , Callum Rice-Coates83 mins: Dalot drills a cross towards Hojlund, who can’t direct his header on target.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
15:53 , Callum Rice-Coates82 mins: Dorgu goes to ground in the box, too theatrically for the referee, who ignores the penalty appeal. The United wing-back picks himself and drills a shot towards the near post, which Meslier pushes behind. From the corner, Mount collects the second ball and drifts a cross to the far post, just beyond the onrushing Fletcher.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
15:51 , Callum Rice-Coates80 mins: Another United youngster is introduced: Jack Fletcher replaces Bendito Mantato.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
15:48 , Callum Rice-Coates78 mins: Leeds bring on teenagers Harry Gray and Sam Chambers for Bogle and Tanaka.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
15:47 , Callum Rice-Coates76 mins: Another opening for the lively Ramazani, who again cuts in from the left and hits a low shot. Heaton saves again.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
15:45 , Callum Rice-Coates74 mins: Another change for United: 20-year-old defender Tyler Fredricson replaces Harry Maguire, who played just under half an hour.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
15:43 , Callum Rice-Coates72 mins: Ugarte goes for goal from distance, but his low shot lacks the power to trouble Meslier.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
15:37 , Callum Rice-Coates67 mins: Mason Mount sends a free kick beyond everyone and out for a goal kick. It hasn’t really worked for United in attack since the break.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
15:35 , Callum Rice-Coates64 mins: Good save! Ramazani is played in again and this time there’s no flag. he cuts in from the left and looks to find the far corner. But Heaton spreads himself and makes a strong save.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
15:31 , Callum Rice-Coates60 mins: For a moment, it looks like Ramazani has been set clean through. Heaton rushes out and blocks his shot, but the flag is up for offside anyway.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
15:29 , Callum Rice-Coates59 mins: Dalot drives forward and finds Hojlund in the box. The striker’s attempted flick doesn’t come off and Meslier collects.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
15:28 , Callum Rice-Coates57 mins: Chance! Nice interplay on the right sets Bogle away into the box, but his low drive is well saved by Heaton. The resulting corner beats everyone and drops to Tanaka, who drags his shot wide at the near post.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
15:25 , Callum Rice-Coates54 mins: Leeds made eight changes at the break and their XI now looks like this: Meslier, Bogle, Bornauw, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Tanaka, Gruev, Longstaff, Dan James, Piroe, Ramazani.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
15:21 , Callum Rice-Coates50 mins: A subdued start to the second half in Sweden. Here’s United’s second-half lineup: Heaton, Heaven, Maguire, Yoro, Dalot, Dorgu, Mainoo, Ugarte, Mount, Mantato, Hojlund.
Kick-off
15:16 , Callum Rice-CoatesLeeds get us underway for the second half. United have made 11 changes, and Leeds have made plenty too.
Half-time
15:00 , Callum Rice-CoatesThat’s it for the first half. Goalless at the break in Stockholm. Expect a host of substitutions before the second half begins.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
15:00 , Callum Rice-Coates45+1 mins: Casemiro makes a smart run down the right and tries to cross from the byline. It takes a deflection and comes back off the crossbar. Nearly a fortunate opener for United.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
14:57 , Callum Rice-Coates42 mins: Close! Nicely worked from United. Amad is picked out in the box and cuts the ball across towards Cunha, who winds up a shot. But Obi, perhaps showing his inexperience, takes the shot away from his team-mate, guiding a left-footed effort just wide.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
14:54 , Callum Rice-Coates41 mins: Casemiro hits a tame shot with his left foot from 25 yards out. There hasn’t been too much quality on show in this first half.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
14:49 , Callum Rice-Coates36 mins: United have found some rhythm in the last few minutes. Cunha is involved again, spraying a pass out to Amad on the right. He fires off a shot, which goes wide of the near post.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
14:47 , Callum Rice-Coates34 mins: A clever ball from Cunha to pick out Obi, whose shot from the edge of the box is blocked.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
14:46 , Callum Rice-Coates33 mins: Karl Darlow is forced into the first real save of the game, parrying 17-year-old Chido Obi’s shot from a tight angle. United keep the attack alive, until Darlow rushes out to punch the ball clear, clattering into Bogle in the process. The Leeds full-back eventually picks himself up.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
14:44 , Callum Rice-Coates30 mins: Cunha very nearly charges into the box but he’s stopped in his tracks by Bogle. At the other end, Nmecha finds space on the left but his cross is far too long.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
14:38 , Callum Rice-Coates25 mins: The Leeds fans at the Strawberry Arena belt out a rendition of Marching On Together, but it’s quiet on the pitch. A very pre-season tempo to the match at the moment. And it’s time for a drinks break.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
14:32 , Callum Rice-Coates18 mins: New United left-back Diego Leon has had a slightly nervy start. Cunha, meanwhile, has been quiet so far, with Leeds doing most of the attacking.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
14:22 , Callum Rice-Coates9 mins: Plenty of possession for Leeds in the early stages. This could be an early indicator of where Daniel Farke’s side are ahead of their return to the Premier League. Tanaka sends a cross into the box, which is cleared.
Man United 0-0 Leeds
14:17 , Callum Rice-Coates4 mins: Close! Jayden Bogle races clear down the right and sends a dangerous ball into the six-yard box. Bayindir flaps at it but Mazraoui is on hand to head clear.
Kick-off!
14:13 , Callum Rice-CoatesManchester United, in their new white away kit, get us underway!
Kick-off imminent
14:02 , Callum Rice-CoatesToday’s friendly was scheduled for a 2pm kick-off, but will now kick off 10 minutes later.
ℹ️ Kick-off in today's game has been delayed by 10 minutes due to heavy traffic around the stadium.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 19, 2025
United 🆚 Leeds will now begin at 14:10 BST, with live coverage on #MUTV ⬇️
Man United v Leeds – live
13:55 , Lawrence OstlereA reminder of how the two teams line-up before kick-off.
Man Utd starting XI: Bayindir; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Collyer, Leon; Fernandes, Cunha; Obi.
Leeds starting XI: Darlow, Byram, Bijol, Rodon, Dogle, Ampadu, Gruev, Tanaka, Harrison, Gnonto, Nmecha.
Man United close in on Mbeumo
13:47 , Lawrence OstlereThe big news this week at Old Trafford: Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Bryan Mbeumo after agreeing a £71m deal with Brentford for the forward.
United have committed to pay £65m, with the possibility of a further £6m in add-ons, as Mbeumo is set to become Ruben Amorim’s biggest buy at Old Trafford.
The forward, who scored 20 Premier League goals last season, was also a target for Newcastle and Tottenham but made it clear his preference was to go to Old Trafford. Personal terms are not expected to be an issue and he may be able to join United in time for their pre-season tour of the United States.
Man United finally agree Bryan Mbeumo deal after Brentford’s Cunha wish
Leeds United pre-season schedule
13:40 , Lawrence OstlereAnd here’s what Leeds have coming up, with AC Milan on the agenda:
- Leeds vs Man Utd - Friends Arena (Sweden) - Saturday, July 19, 2pm
- Leeds vs Villarreal - Elland Road (England) - August 2, 3pm
- Leeds vs AC Milan - Aviva Stadium (Republic of Ireland) - August 9, 3pm
Man United schedule
13:33 , Lawrence OstlereHere’s what Ruben Amorim has in store for his United players for the rest of the summer:
- Man Utd vs Leeds United - Friends Arena (Sweden) - Saturday, July 19, 2pm
- Man Utd vs West Ham United - MetLife Stadium (USA) - Sunday, July 27, 12am
- Man Utd vs Bournemouth - Soldier Field (USA) - Thursday, July 31, 2.30am
- Man Utd vs Everton - Mercedes-Benz Stadium (USA) - Sunday, August 3, 10pm
- Man Utd vs Fiorentina - Old Trafford (England) - Saturday, August 9, 12.45pm
How to watch
13:25 , Lawrence OstlereFans can watch the game on Manchester United's official television channel, MUTV, which will be showing the match live with coverage due to begin at 1pm.
MUTV is available through providers Sky and Virgin for an additional fee, while viewers can also subscribe to the channel through Man United's official website.
Leeds fans can watch the match live through LUTV, with a one-off payment of £4.99.
Leeds United – confirmed line-up
13:16 , Lawrence OstlereAnd here’s how Leeds look today:
Leeds starting XI: Darlow, Byram, Bijol, Rodon, Dogle, Ampadu, Gruev, Tanaka, Harrison, Gnonto, Nmecha.
Subs: Meslier, Cairns, Mahady, Gudmundsson, Struijk, James, Longstaff, Piroe, Ramazani, Bornauw, Chambers, Gray, Chadwick, Crew.
Man United – confirmed line-up
13:14 , Lawrence OstlereSo here’s how United line up today, and Matheus Cunha is in the starting XI.
Man Utd starting XI: Bayindir; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Collyer, Leon; Fernandes, Cunha; Obi.
Subs: Heaton, Mee, Dalot, Dorgu, Fredricson, Heaven, Kukonki, Maguire, Munro, Yoro, J.Fletcher, Kone, Mainoo, Mount, Ugarte, Hojlund, Mantato, Williams.
Man Utd v Leeds
13:12 , Lawrence OstlereHello and welcome along to live coverage of Man United v Leeds.
