Friendly overview, predictions and alignments

The historic rivals of Manchester United and Leeds United start their respective pre-season campaigns by competing in a friendly match in Sweden on Saturday afternoon.

The first of the five pre-season games scheduled for Man Utd, they will go to Stockholm by heading to the United States to face three other Premier League teams-West Ham United, Bournemouth and Everton. For the moment, however, Ruben Amorim must concentrate the attention of his team to their summer opening test.

The Red Devils underwent a disastrous campaign of 2024-2025, capped by the final defeat of the Europa League against Tottenham Hotspur. Improvements must be rapid at the start of the new season, otherwise Man UTD will derive further in the crisis.

On the other hand, Leeds experienced an immensely successful 2024-2025 when they obtained the title of champion and their return to the Premier League. Daniel Farke’s team will be put to the pre-season given that they follow their confrontation with Man Utd by facing Villarreal and AC Milan in early August, with the whites who hoped to create a momentum before the start of the new season.

Here is a guide to the friendly match on Saturday in Scandinavia.

Man Utd against Record Record Head-to-Ture (last five games)

André Onana will not be involved in the pre-season plans of the UTD man after recently undergone an injury to the hamstrings in training. It could be sidelined for two months, which means that it is almost certain to miss the start of the Premier League campaign.

Lisandro Martínez is also absent while he continues to recover from an ACL tear, while Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelöf and Jonny Evans were all released in late June, when their contracts expired, although the latter is now working as the club’s loans and ways.

There will be no room in the team for the five UTD man players who would have asked to leave, with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia all exiled.

Supporters of UTD humans are likely to attend two unofficial beginnings on Saturday, with 62.5 million pounds sterling ($ 83.9 million) fascinating fans of Brazilian Matheus Cunha. It is likely to appear significantly against Leeds, while Diego León could also earn a few minutes after his move from Cerro Porteño.

There should also be opportunities transmitted to a range of perspectives from the Academy. Chido Obi, Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson, Shea Lacey and Jack Fletcher are among those who could appear.

Man UTD predicts programming against Leeds (3-4-2-1): Baying; Yoro, Magires, Heaven; Dalot, Mainoo, Ugart, Dorgu; Fernandes, Cunha; Hèl.

Farke is expected to give his debut to his four senior recruits while Gabriel Gudmundsson, Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bernauw and Lukas Nmecha all have been preparing for their first outing since he joined the club.

Dan James recently wrote a contract extension with Leeds and will aim to celebrate with victory against his former club. Sam Byram has also extended his stay with the whites and should appear against Man Utd.

Leeds recently signed Jayden Linou and Louis Enahoro-Marcus from Manchester City and Liverpool respectively for their academy, with the two minutes potentially offered during the pre-season.

Lieds Leeds chaired V. Man Utd (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Bogle, Bijol, Strujk, Gudmundsson; Tanaka, Gruuev; Gnonto, Aaronson, James; Piroe.

It is difficult to predict exactly what we will see from Man Utd and Leeds given their long fate far from the height and the integration of new signatures and tactical ideas. The pre-season is an ideal opportunity to experiment and this often leads to disjointed screens.

Despite their terrible 2024-2025 campaign, the UTD man will always have to conquer their rivals in Sweden, with much more individual talents than whites. However, more important for club supporters is an encouraging performance that offers hope to move forward.

Prediction: Man Utd 2–1 Leeds

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