Leeds United face Manchester United in Dublin as rivalry overshadows friendly | OneFootball

Leeds United face Manchester United in Dublin as rivalry overshadows friendly | OneFootball

In partnership with

Yahoo sports
Icon: OffsAIde

OffsAIde

·12 August 2026

Leeds United face Manchester United in Dublin as rivalry overshadows friendly

Article image:Leeds United face Manchester United in Dublin as rivalry overshadows friendly

Leeds United meet Manchester United at a packed Croke Park in Dublin, a venue that has not hosted football for nearly 17 years. With 80,000 in attendance and a fierce rivalry in tow, it is unlikely to feel like a friendly.

According to Leeds Live, former Leeds keeper Karl Darlow is set to be in the opposition squad after rejecting a contract renewal this summer, so the pantomime villain tag awaits. New signing James Trafford travels with the Whites for the first time and could make an unofficial debut, his Manchester City past unlikely to go unnoticed.


OneFootball Videos


Noah Okafor could feature for the first time this summer. He missed the US tour after Switzerland reached the latter stages of the World Cup, and had to complete his 21-day mandated post-season break. A return against the club that inspired his chant after a famous Old Trafford double would be timely.

Gabriel Gudmundsson is likely to miss the start of the Premier League season with a suspected hamstring issue, so he will not feature tonight. Joe Piroe will hope to get minutes after failing to get off the bench in the last two friendlies.

Leeds have won their last three friendlies and Daniel Farke will be encouraged by recent displays. This looks their toughest warm-up yet, with both sides expected to field strong teams. A warm Dublin evening should add to the occasion.

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”

View publisher imprint