Overview
Manchester United have had a disappointing 2024-2025 Premier League season when they only finished in 15th place with 42 points. This is their lowest position since 1990, and their lowest tally since Man United were relegated in 2014.
The "Red Devils" hope of saving the season also disappeared when they lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final. That means the Old Trafford outfit will be out of European competition next season.
The pressure is mounting on coach Ruben Amorim, who was forced to make a big change after one of the worst seasons in the club's history.
Up to now, Man United have only had two new players, Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon. However, the team is expected to continue to be active in the transfer market in the coming weeks.
At the same time, they are also looking to liquidate some players who are no longer in the plan, including Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia.
Man United will kick off their pre-season friendly series against Leeds, before heading to the US to participate in the Premier League Summer Series, where they face West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton.
Amorim's side will end their preparation with a friendly against Fiorentina at Old Trafford on 9 August - exactly eight days before hosting Arsenal in the opening round of the 2025-2026 Premier League.
Leeds United have officially returned to the Premier League after two seasons playing in the Championship. Daniel Farke's side played impressively last season, finishing top of the Premier League.
Leeds won 100 points, equal to second-placed Burnley but with a better goal difference, thereby winning a ticket to the direct promotion. Their goal now is to stay and gradually affirm their position in the highest playground in England.
In the 2025 summer transfer window, Leeds added four notable new signings, Jaka Bijol, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Lukas Nmecha. In addition, Jack Harrison also returned after a loan spell at Everton, helping them increase their squad depth for the new season.
The Elland Road team has only confirmed 3 pre-season friendlies, respectively against Villarreal and AC Milan in August before starting the 2025-2026 Premier League campaign with a match against Everton on August 18.
After the friendly match with Man United, Leeds will travel to Germany to continue training and play two closed friendly matches.
Personnel situation
Man United are expected to give Cunha a chance to debut after recruiting the Brazilian striker from Wolves. In addition, Diego Leon - an 18-year-old rookie who just joined Cerro Porteno - is also predicted to wear the "Red Devils" shirt for the first time in this match.
Amorim could use two different lineups for each half, but a strong lineup is likely to be fielded in the first half, with Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund and Amad Diallo all ready.
On the other hand, Lisandro Martinez is still unable to return due to a knee injury, while Andre Onana is out due to hamstring problems. Joshua Zirkzee also did not travel to Sweden with the team due to a minor injury.
On the other side of the front line, all four new players, Jaka Bijol, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Lukas Nmecha, are all expected to participate. In particular, Bijol and Gudmundsson are likely to start in the friendly match in Sweden.
Notably, midfielder Daniel James, who played for Man United, will also be on the field against his former team.
Expected lineup:
Man United: Bayindir, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Yoro, Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu, Cunha, Hojlund, Amad.
Leeds United: Meslier, Bogle, Bijol, Ampadu, Gudmundsson, Gruev, Tanaka, Gnonto, Aaronson, James, Piroe.
The match between Man United and Leeds United takes place at 20:00 on July 19 (Vietnam time).
