A Lively Night at Croke Park, Rashford Still Waiting
All the build-up to this one centered on a player who didn’t even get on the pitch. Marcus Rashford had rejoined Michael Carrick’s group just days earlier, and the 82,000-strong crowd at Croke Park — hosting a Premier League friendly for the first time in the venue’s history — were hoping for a first glimpse of him back in a United shirt after eighteen months away. It never came. What they got instead was a genuinely entertaining, back-and-forth pre-season finale between two old rivals.
United struck first, and it came from good work down the right. Bryan Mbeumo showed real intensity to win the ball and tee up Joshua Zirkzee, who finished well in the 16th minute to put United ahead. Leeds, unbeaten in three pre-season games coming in — including a 2-0 win over RB Leipzig — responded well, and Brenden Aaronson leveled things just before the half-hour mark to make it 1-1, a scoreline that held all the way to the final whistle.
Fernandes Denied Twice, Then Penalties
The second half offered plenty of near-misses without another goal to show for it. Bruno Fernandes, sent through by Luke Shaw, had the crowd chanting his name and thought he’d scored, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. He came close again late on, cracking the crossbar with a driven effort that just wouldn’t drop. Dan James also had his moments for Leeds, and Mason Mount continued his own return from a minor foot issue with a spell off the bench. With the scoreline locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the game — and the BoyleSports Cup on the line — went to penalties, where Carrick’s side eventually came out on top 5-4.
What It Means Next
A useful, competitive workout for both sides just days before the new Premier League season gets underway. For United, the Rashford situation remains the dominant storyline as pre-season wraps up, with everyone waiting to see when — or if — he features before a ball is kicked competitively. For Leeds, Daniel Farke’s side head into the new campaign full of confidence after a strong summer, and they’ll get an early crack at United again this season, with the reverse fixture at Elland Road already on the calendar for October.
Match Summary
Manchester United 1-1 Leeds United (Man Utd win 5-4 on penalties) Club Friendly (BoyleSports Cup) — Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Goals: 16′ Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United) 1-0 (assist: Bryan Mbeumo) 29′ Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United) 1-1
Result: Manchester United and Leeds draw 1-1 in normal time, with United winning the BoyleSports Cup 5-4 on penalties.
For live pre-season friendly scores and coverage, visit fawanews. Full results and fixtures at the official Manchester United website.
