Leeds United are set to travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in the Premier League when the league season resumes later this month.
However, a big announcement late last night has revealed that the two hated rivals will play against each other in pre-season ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Dublin’s Croke Park will host the blockbuster clash between the two hated rivals during pre-season as part of Leeds and Manchester United’s preparation for the next campaign.
The Whites will hope that they will be preparing to play in the Premier League again, while Manchester United are expected to be in the Champions League next season.
Leeds insider surprised by Manchester United announcement
The Yorkshire giants and Manchester United played out a fiery 1-1 draw at Elland Road in January, just days before the Old Trafford outfit sacked Ruben Amorim.
Manchester United have lost just once since then and are major favourites ahead of hosting Leeds at Old Trafford later this month.
However, the two teams playing in a pre-season game are intriguing as both sets of fans will never treat it as a friendly.
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth has revealed that the two clubs and relevant authorities are finalising the details of the deal that would see them face each other in a friendly.
He is, however, surprised that the local police in Dublin agreed to sign off on Manchester United and Leeds playing a friendly there, given the history of clashes between the two sets of supporters.
Smyth wrote on X: Yes, this is accurate. Understand they’re just about there with the final details/agreement and friendly v Man Utd is expected to take place, as the Irish Independent has reported.
“Personally surprised the police have said yes, but pleasantly surprised.”
The Whites need something from Old Trafford this month
The draw against Brentford just before the break wasn’t a bad result considering the Bees are pushing for Europe and rarely give much away, but Leeds really needed all three points to take some of the heat off.
Results elsewhere meant Leeds managed to remain four points clear of the relegation zone, but they cannot keep depending on other teams.
Tottenham have appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager, and that is expected to spark a revival in the coming weeks.
There’s likely to be real pressure after the international break, and a win sooner rather than later would go a long way in settling nerves at Elland Road.
That won’t be easy, though; they’re up against a Manchester United side brimming with confidence, having lost just once since Michael Carrick took charge in January.
Leeds could find themselves close to the relegation zone by the time they kick off at Old Trafford on Monday, April 13.
