Confirmed Man United XI vs Leeds United: Diego Leon, Matheus Cunha to start | OneFootball

Ruben Amorim has picked his first starting XI of the 2025/26 season as his Manchester United side kick the new season off with a friendly against Leeds United in Stockholm this afternoon.

Whilst we can’t read too much into the selection, there are some interesting choices that will alert the attention of United fans around the world

Defence

In goal, Altay Bayindir gets a start due to Andre Onana’s injury.

The centre backs are Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw. It certainly seems that Amorim sees both Shaw and Mazraoui as centre backs rather than wing backs going forward, which could suggest that it will be a low priority position in the remaining summer transfer window.

Wing backs and midfield

New signing Diego Leon comes straight in for his debut at left wing back. The young Paraguayan has clearly impressed since arriving from Cerro Porteño and has jumped straight ahead of Harry Amass, who is expected to go out on loan.

It looks like Amad will play at RWB, which is his expected position for the new season now that Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have joined.

In central midfield, Casemiro partners Toby Collyer.

Front line

Fans will wonder if Chido Obi’s starting berth is a hint from Amorim that he is already ahead of Rasmus Hojlund in the pecking order at Old Trafford. He is flanked by Bruno Fernandes and new signing Matheus Cunha.

Josh Zirkzee is injured.

Second half options

It is likely there will be eleven changes at half time. An interesting omission from the bench is Radek Vitek, who many expected to be given a chance to impress in pre-season following his excellent loan spell at BW Linz. Tom Heaton and Dermot Mee are the substitute keepers.

Diogo Dalot, Patrick Dorgu, Tyler Fredricson, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Godwill kukonki, Harry Maguire and Reece Munro are the substitute centre backs.

Jack Fletcher, Sekou Koné, Manu Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount are the midfield reserves.

Rasmus Hojlund, Bendito Mantato and Ethan Williams are the forwards on the bench.

Kick off in Stockholm is at 2pm UK time

Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images

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