Leeds United and Manchester United are two of the fiercest rivals in English football, and that rivalry has been given another edge this summer.
Manchester United sacked Ruben Amorim after the draw against Leeds at Elland Road in January, with Michael Carrick subsequently taking charge. Leeds then secured their first league win at Old Trafford in 45 years when they beat Carrick’s in-form side in April, a result that all but secured their Premier League survival.
The rivalry took another turn this summer when Manchester United signed Karl Darlow from Leeds. The Whites’ statement following his departure suggested they were far from happy about losing the goalkeeper to their old rivals.
Now, the two sides are set to meet in a pre-season clash in Dublin on Wednesday, with the fixture providing another chapter in this long-running rivalry.
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Manchester United star returns to training ahead of the Leeds clash
Manchester United and Leeds United will renew their rivalry in pre-season for the second year running, with the two sides meeting again just before the new Premier League season begins.
Leeds head into Wednesday’s clash in Dublin after beating RB Leipzig 2-0 at Elland Road on Saturday, while Manchester United drew 1-1 with European champions Paris Saint-Germain in their latest outing.
The meeting already promised to be an intriguing one given the history between the two clubs, but it could now carry even greater significance for Manchester United as they prepare for the new campaign.
Marcus Rashford has returned for pre-season training with the Red Devils after spending the last 18 months on loan at Aston Villa and Barcelona.
Manchester United are prepared to reintegrate him into the squad, and there is a chance he travels to Dublin with the rest of Michael Carrick’s squad.
With Rashford more than likely to stay at Old Trafford, Carrick would prefer to give him some minutes sooner rather than later before the start of the new season.
Marcus Rashford is back at Carrington 😍❤️ pic.twitter.com/a4HYvzeRNq
— utdreport (@utdreport) August 9, 2026
The Whites will want to fire an early warning shot at Manchester United
The win at Old Trafford was a huge moment for Leeds United, especially given how much heartbreak the stadium has delivered over the years.
Seeing Leeds take apart an in-form Manchester United side on their own ground was a special moment for a generation of supporters who had waited so long for that result.
The upcoming clash in Dublin may officially be a pre-season friendly, but when Leeds and Manchester United meet, there is always going to be an edge to it. The rivalry means neither side will be short of motivation.
Another victory over their old rivals would also send a message that Leeds are not returning to the Premier League simply to make up the numbers. They will want to show they have ambitions that go beyond survival.
