Overview
Leeds started the pre-season with a 2-3 defeat to Wrexham. However, they quickly improved their form with 3 consecutive wins against Sunderland (1-0), Liverpool (4-2) and RB Leipzig (2-0).
Leeds United still has 2 friendly matches against Manchester United and Augsburg before entering the 2026-2027 Premier League season with a confrontation with Nottingham Forest.
They have added 3 new players this summer, including Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemovic and James Trafford. In the opposite direction, Pascal Struijk is the most notable departure when moving to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Under the guidance of coach Daniel Farke, Leeds finished last season in 14th place in the Premier League, 8 points ahead of the relegation group. Their goal in the new season is to improve their performance and rise to a higher position.
Leeds also has more reason to be confident when they once defeated Man United 2-1 right at Old Trafford in the Premier League last season. The white team will aim for another victory in the upcoming confrontation.
Man United is also actively preparing for the new season. Coach Michael Carrick's team will start the 2026-2027 Premier League campaign with a match against Hull City.
The Red Devils" lost to Wrexham 0-1 in their first friendly match, but then successively defeated Rosenborg 5-0 and Atletico Madrid 2-1. In the most recent match, Man United drew 1-1 with the reigning European champion Paris Saint-Germain.
Man United still has 2 friendly matches, respectively against Leeds in Dublin and AC Milan of Ruben Amorim, before ending the preparation process.
The Old Trafford team is expected to continue to operate actively in the transfer market. Up to now, they have added Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow.
Man United finished last season in third place in the Premier League and will return to the Champions League this season. With the current preparation, Carrick's team is expected to be able to compete in the top group, even aiming for the championship race.
Personnel situation
Leeds is likely to continue to use Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the highest position in attack. This striker is aiming to improve his scoring record in the pre-season period, after scoring 3 goals.
Two new signings Tarik Muharemovic and Harry Wilson are also expected to start, while former Man United striker Daniel James may be present from the start. James Trafford is likely to make his debut in Leeds' goal.
On Man United's side, Manuel Ugarte is the only experienced player absent from the training trip in the Republic of Ireland due to a long-term injury.
Matthijs de Ligt is still in the process of recovering from a back injury, while Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez have returned to training with the team.
Matheus Cunha and Senne Lammens have also returned after missing the match against PSG due to illness. Benjamin Sesko is expected to have his first minutes of pre-season play.
Expected lineup:
Leeds United: Trafford, Muharemovic, Rodon, Bornauw, Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Justin, James, Calvert-Lewin, Wilson.
Man United: Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Tielemans, Santos, Amad, Fernandes, Dorgu, Mbeumo.
The match between Man United and Leeds United takes place at 1:30 am on August 13 (Vietnam time).
