Manchester United kicked off their pre-season preparations with a friendly against newly promoted Premier League side Leeds United at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm, Sweden on July 19, 2025. The match marked the debut of summer signing Matheus Cunha, who joined the Red Devils from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Diego Leon, another recent acquisition, also featured in the starting XI.
Manager Ruben Amorim brought a 29-man squad to Stockholm, offering a blend of experienced players and promising academy talents a chance to showcase their abilities. The game was the first of five pre-season friendlies for United, with subsequent matches scheduled in the United States as part of the Premier League Summer Series against West Ham United, Bournemouth and Everton, before concluding against Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 9.
The match provided Amorim with an opportunity to implement his tactical philosophy and assess his squad. With United finishing a disappointing 15th in the Premier League last season, the pre-season is crucial for rebuilding and instilling a winning mentality. Leeds, under Daniel Farke, are aiming to build momentum ahead of their return to the top flight.
The predicted Manchester United lineup was Bayindir; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu; Cunha, Amad, Hojlund. However, the confirmed lineup was Bayindir; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Collyer, Leon; Fernandes (c), Cunha; Obi.
Leeds United also had potential debutants in their squad, including Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bournauw, Felix Nmecha, and Gabriel Gudmundsson. It remained to be seen whether Sean Longstaff would feature against Manchester United. The Leeds lineup was Darlow, Bogle, Ampadu (c), Rodon, Nmecha, Bijol, Tanaka, Byram, Gnonto, Harrison, Gruev.
The match was broadcast live on MUTV, Manchester United's official television channel.
This pre-season friendly against Leeds was not just a game; it represented a fresh start for Manchester United under Ruben Amorim. The introduction of new signings like Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon offered a glimpse into the future, while the match provided valuable insights into the team's tactical approach and player combinations. For Leeds United, it was an opportunity to test their mettle against a Premier League side and prepare for the challenges of the upcoming season.
