What to expect from Joshua Zirkzee?
Man United showed a smooth and fast playing style in the match against Leeds, passes with high accuracy and rhythm between all 3 lines.
In the starting lineup, Zirkzee played quite prominently and was the one who scored the opening goal in the 16th minute. In this match, the Dutch star played in the "number 10" position, playing the role of connecting lines and moving in wide space. Not only playing the role of a connecting thread, Zirkzee also directly finished in many situations, one of which led to an early goal.
The match with Leeds is of great significance to Zirkzee, although it is not yet known whether he will still be in Man United's first team in the 2026-27 season or not. There is information that this striker wants to return to Serie A to wear the Juventus shirt. The deal is also undergoing many positive negotiation steps in the form of loan. When Zirkzee shows progress, whether he stays or leaves Old Trafford, teams with Zirkzee will also benefit.
Is Michael Carrick's 4-2-4 formation really effective?
Man United's approach to Leeds reminds fans of the FA Cup 2024 final. The "Red Devils" squad clearly deployed a 4-2-4 formation when they did not control the ball. In the match 2 years ago, Erik ten Hag did not use a pure center forward and defeated Man City at Wembley. This time, Michael Carrick also won with a similar formation.
The attacking quartet Joshua Zirkzee, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Patrick Dorgu were asked to move across the field. They played the role of prey wolves, just waiting for Leeds players to make mistakes to immediately take the ball and launch punitive strikes.
The intensity of the pressing of this quartet in Leeds' half is very impressive, but the question is whether it can be repeated continuously in the Premier League? Perhaps it is very difficult for Man United to perform this style of play continuously because right when the match with Leeds entered the second half, even though Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha were brought on, the intensity of the "Red Devils" created was no longer as good as the first 45 minutes.
Reason Marucs Rashford is not registered
Fans in Ireland, although showing very strong support for Rashford when he returned to training with the team, did not witness this striker play. Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez also did not participate in this match.
After the match, sharing with MUTV, Michael Carrick said that both Mainoo and Martinez are not ready physically for the match against Leeds, it is very likely that this duo will play in the last friendly match of summer 2026 with AC Milan. The same thing is also expected by fans for Rashford. If he plays this weekend, the 28-year-old striker will have a reunion with his old coach Ruben Amorim on the other side of the front line, who indirectly pushed him out of Old Trafford.
This match is also a rotation of the squad to keep the pillars of the team. Michael Carrick proactively did not let Harry Maguire and Mason Mount play after this pair had played 4 friendly matches before. Especially with Mason Mount, after a minor pain in the match against PSG, he is expected to withdraw completely and rest until the new season begins.
