Zirkzee strikes as United edge Leeds in Croke Park shootout

Manchester United beat Leeds United 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Croke Park in Dublin, with Joshua Zirkzee and Brenden Aaronson scoring in normal time during a lively pre-season friendly watched by an 82,000-strong crowd.

Zirkzee opened the scoring in the 16th minute, sweeping home a low cross from Bryan Mbeumo after the Cameroonian raced clear down the left, according to Sky Sports. Leeds hit back through Aaronson in the 29th minute after Dan James latched on to a punt and fed the American.

Michael Carrick’s side then edged the shootout 5-4. Harry Wilson missed first for Leeds before Bruno Fernandes also failed to convert for United, while James Justin’s miss proved decisive as Noussair Mazraoui scored the winning kick.

Rashford still waiting for his return

The bigger story in Dublin was who did not play. Marcus Rashford did not feature against Leeds despite having rejoined Carrick’s training group that week.

Carrick said Rashford had trained for only two or three days and was back in great spirits, adding that the club were looking forward to the start of the season.

Youngsters given their say, Fernandes denied twice

Carrick gave a raft of youngsters a proper run-out, with full-back Harry Amass standing out among the rookie group. Bruno Fernandes and new signing Youri Tielemans were introduced after 60 minutes, alongside Matheus Cunha.

Fernandes had a second-half strike ruled out for offside before hitting the crossbar late on. Leeds had scored 10 goals in five pre-season outings, but Daniel Farke’s side lacked composure in the decisive shootout.

Farke said new Leeds signing James Trafford had the potential to become world-class and described the goalkeeper’s debut as a good one.