The Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo will host Manchester United’s first pre-season friendly of the summer as they go head-to-head with recently-relegated Leeds United on Wednesday.
Manchester United will look to build on a period of steady progression under manager Erik ten Hag, while Leeds United prepares for life back in the Championship after a disappointing 2022-23 season.
Despite a slow start to the previous season, Manchester United ended the campaign with a sense of optimism. They secured the EFL Cup, finished as runners-up in the FA Cup, and clinched third place in the Premier League, guaranteeing their return to the Champions League. Although their Europa League campaign ended in disappointment, their overall performance under Ten Hag was considered a success.
Ten Hag successfully navigated the club through a period of takeover negotiations, which affected their transfer plans to some extent. However, they have already secured the signing of Mason Mount, and a deal for Andre Onana is rumored to be in progress.
Before the start of their 49th successive top-flight campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester United will also face French side Lens and Athletic Bilbao. However, this pre-season friendly against Leeds United will not be a usual fiery encounter due to Leeds’ recent relegation.
Leeds United struggled defensively in the Premier League, resulting in their relegation. Their fate was sealed with a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the season. The team showed some attacking prowess but struggled to keep their opponents at bay.
In the previous season, Manchester United and Leeds United faced each other twice in the Premier League, with Manchester United securing a 2-2 draw at home and a 2-0 victory at Elland Road. Leeds United will also face Monaco and Hearts before starting their Championship campaign.
As Manchester United prepares for the upcoming season, Mason Mount is expected to make his non-competitive debut for the club in this pre-season friendly. Lisandro Martinez and Donny van de Beek, who missed the end of the previous season due to injuries, are back in full training. However, several key players, including Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Casemiro, and Christian Eriksen, will only report back for pre-season on Monday.
For Leeds United, Stuart Dallas, Luis Sinisterra, Marc Roca, and Junior Firpo are still undergoing rehabilitation and will not be available for the friendly. Tyler Adams and Jack Harrison are making progress but will not be rushed back. The team has also seen several players leave, and the future of Wilfried Gnonto remains uncertain amid links to Everton and Aston Villa.
Both teams will be missing some of their international players who are returning gradually, but the result of this friendly will have little significance once the season begins. Nonetheless, Manchester United is expected to start their series of summer friendlies with a routine victory.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Heaton; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Fernandez; Mount, Fred, Mainoo; Antony, Martial, Diallo
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Van den Heuvel; Drameh, Ayling, Cooper, Struijk; Rutter, Gyabi, Shackleton, Greenwood; Bamford, Gelhardt
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