Man United to face arch-rivals in Dublin as pre-season plans begin to take shape | OneFootball

Manchester United’s pre-season plans have begun to take shape after confirming their first friendly as a clash in Dublin against Leeds.

The Premier League rivals will meet at the 82,000-capacity Croke Park stadium on 12 August and will be one of six matches being planned for United in Europe during the summer.

It will be the first football match staged at the venue - which is the traditional home of Gaelic sports - since the Republic of Ireland faced France there in 2009’s World Cup play-off; the night of Thierry Henry’s infamous handball that proved decisive in denying Ireland a place at the tournament finals.

United's director of football Jason Wilcox told the club's official website: "We're excited to be heading to Dublin to face Leeds United as part of our pre-season preparations ahead of a big campaign.

"Playing an important fixture against one of our biggest rivals gives us a fantastic opportunity to connect with our supporters in Ireland.

"Their passion and energy will be invaluable as we build momentum and ensure the squad is in the strongest possible shape for the start of the 2026-27 season."

Last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings played at Croke Park — the first time an NFL regular-season game was held in Ireland.

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Croke Park hosted an NFL match last year (PA Wire)

United last played in the Irish capital in their 2023 pre-season campaign, facing Athletic Bilbao at the Aviva Stadium, while Leeds took on AC Milan at the same venue last summer.

Michael Carrick’s side are also heading to Dublin for a training camp next week, between 6 and 9 April.

United faced Leeds in their pre-season opener ahead of the current campaign, playing out a goalless draw in Stockholm in which Matheus Cunha notably made his debut for the club.

The teams similarly shared the spoils in their Premier League meeting at Elland Road back in January, but United fans may look back at that result with fondness as it marked the end of Ruben Amorim’s ill-fated reign at Old Trafford; the turning point of their season.

Under interim boss Carrick, the Red Devils have shot up the table and now look nailed on the qualify for the Champions League.