please log in to view this image Manchester Utd v Leeds Utd Saturday 19th July@14:00 | Stockholm (and yes, we should have a stream) The historic "War of the Roses" rivalry is set to ignite once more as Manchester United and Leeds United face off in a pre-season friendly at Stockholm's Strawberry Arena this Saturday. This highly anticipated clash, dubbed a "Viking twist" on the classic rivalry, is expected to draw a vibrant crowd, reflecting both clubs' substantial Scandinavian fan bases. For Leeds United, this match marks their first outing of the summer and a triumphant return to Premier League opposition following their dramatic Championship title win. Buoyed by their successful campaign, Daniel Farke is expected to field a starting XI, blending last season's heroes with new signings like Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jaka Bijol. The game will also offer Farke a chance to experiment with new midfield systems and integrate potential future arrivals. Manchester United, however, enter this pre-season on the back of a truly dismal 2024/25 Premier League season, finishing 15th with their lowest goal tally in the Premier League era. Manager Rúben Amorim, despite being appointed mid-season, failed to reverse their fortunes, as a "toxic" dressing room and disjointed strategy plagued the club. Pressure is already mounting on Amorim, a fact Leeds fans will be keen to highlight. Squad changes are underway at Old Trafford, with several senior players, including Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, reportedly seeking moves away. Goalkeeper André Onana is sidelined with injury, but new signing Matheus Cunha is poised to make his debut, offering a glimmer of hope. This encounter promises to be a telling pre-season test for both sides, each with vastly different recent experiences.
