Leeds United vs Manchester United prediction tips and odds | 12/08/2026

Croke Park will host its first club football match in history on Wednesday evening, as Manchester United take on Leeds United in the BOYLE Sports Cup 2026 pre-season friendly, and the occasion alone should ensure both sides treat this as more than a routine warm-up.

Michael Carrick's third-placed finishers from last season arrive in Dublin with an increasingly settled squad and a strong pre-season record, while Daniel Farke's Leeds have built real momentum with three consecutive victories, including a stunning 4-2 comeback win over Liverpool in Chicago.

Leeds United vs Manchester United form and preview

Having ended the 2025-26 season with a 3-0 defeat at West Ham United on matchday 38 of the Premier League, Leeds kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 3-2 loss to Wrexham in Tampa, but three consecutive victories since then have reflected a side steadily building confidence and cohesion heading into the new season.

The 4-2 comeback victory over Liverpool at Soldier Field was the standout result, with all four goals coming from second-half substitutes, including two from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the striker who finished as the club's leading scorer last season with 14 goals in the Premier League.

A 2-0 win over RB Leipzig at Elland Road followed, and Farke will feel that his side are sharpening at the right time, with the Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest now less than a fortnight away.

Leeds have also been active in the transfer market, signing Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemovic and goalkeeper James Trafford, while their most notable departure has been Pascal Struijk, who joined Brighton and Hove Albion.

Man United closed their 2025-26 Premier League campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Brighton and Hove Albion, confirming a third-place finish and a return to the Champions League under Carrick, who was appointed in January following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.

The Red Devils' pre-season started shakily with a 1-0 defeat to Wrexham in Helsinki, but the trajectory since then has been firmly upward.

A 5-0 rout of Rosenborg in Trondheim showcased the squad's attacking depth, before a creditable 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in Stockholm – with Bryan Mbeumo scoring both goals – demonstrated their ability to compete against elite-level opposition.

Man United's most recent outing, a 1-1 draw with European champions Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg, was arguably their strongest performance of the summer, and Carrick will feel confident about the depth and fitness of his squad heading into the final fortnight of preparation.

The Red Devils have conceded just three goals across their four summer friendlies, though only one clean sheet in that run – the 5-0 win over Rosenborg – means Carrick will still want to tighten up before the competitive season begins.

Team news: Leeds United vs Manchester United

Leeds United

Albert Gudmundsson is facing around four weeks on the sidelines with a suspected hamstring injury and is likely to miss the Premier League opener at Nottingham Forest, according to Farke via Leeds Live.

Mateo Joseph is undergoing rehabilitation in England after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in April while on loan at Mallorca, with a return not expected until the second half of the season.

Goalkeeper Lucas Perri has been dealing with a minor finger issue and a quad problem, but is now set to travel for a medical ahead of a loan move to Torino in Serie A.

New signing Trafford could be handed his Leeds debut in goal, having sat out the Leipzig win, while Muharemovic and Wilson are expected to retain their starting places as Farke looks to integrate his new arrivals.

Calvert-Lewin will lead the line after scoring three goals in pre-season, including two against Liverpool, with Daniel James likely to feature from the first whistle.

Manchester United

Tom Heaton limped off during the 1-1 draw with PSG and will not be available, while Manuel Ugarte remains sidelined with a long-term injury.

Mason Mount took a knock against PSG, but Carrick has since confirmed it was precautionary, and the midfielder has been cleared of injury, although he is unlikely to be risked from the start.

Matthijs de Ligt is continuing his rehabilitation from a long-term back issue alongside his teammates in Dublin, but is not expected to feature.

Benjamin Sesko, the joint top scorer last season alongside Mbeumo with 12 goals in all competitions, has missed the entirety of pre-season with a shin splint issue but has now returned to training and travelled with the squad to Dublin.

Marcus Rashford has linked up with the squad after returning from an 18-month loan at Barcelona, and has been handed the number 14 shirt according to recent reports.

Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez have also joined up following their international commitments, with Matheus Cunha and Senne Lammens both available again after missing the PSG match through illness.

Leeds United vs Manchester United predicted lineups

Leeds United (3-4-3): Trafford; Muharemovic, Rodon, Bornauw; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Justin; James, Calvert-Lewin, Wilson

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Tielemans, Santos; Amad, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo

Head-to-head: Leeds United vs Manchester United

Man United hold the upper hand in the all-time head-to-head record with 50 wins to Leeds' 27, but the Whites have been the form side in this fixture of late, avoiding defeat in both Premier League meetings last term.

The Whites' 2-1 victory at Old Trafford in April 2026 was their first win at Man United in the Premier League since 2002, with Noah Okafor scoring a first-half brace before Casemiro pulled one back in the second half.

The two sides also drew 1-1 at Elland Road in January 2026, while a pre-season friendly in Stockholm in July 2025 ended goalless.

Our Leeds United vs Manchester United prediction and tips