There’s no such thing as a “friendly” when it comes to Manchester United vs Leeds United. Even in a pre-season fixture far from English soil, this age-old rivalry delivered energy, goals, and a hint of drama just enough to keep both sets of fans buzzing ahead of the new season.
Manchester United ran out 2-0 winners at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway, showing off both their seasoned stars and a few exciting youngsters. The goals came courtesy of Omari Forson in the first half and Joe Hugill after the break, a perfect blend of youthful exuberance and clinical finishing.
A Flying Start in Oslo
Despite the rainy Norwegian evening, United fans were out in force and so were the chants. Right from kick-off, it was clear Erik ten Hag’s side came with intent. No sluggish starts or jet lag excuses. Just pressing, pace, and possession.
In the 20th minute, Omari Forson, one of the club’s standout young talents, gave the Red Devils the lead. Latching onto a perfectly weighted pass from Kobbie Mainoo, he cut inside and drilled it past the Leeds goalkeeper with the confidence of a seasoned first-teamer.
It was a goal that got the crowd going and a moment Forson won’t forget any time soon.
Leeds Struggle to Find Their Rhythm
Leeds United, recently relegated to the Championship, came into this fixture with new faces and new challenges. But in truth, they never quite got going.
There were flashes of a clever turn from Wilfried Gnonto here and a neat pass from Archie Gray there, but United’s midfield was simply too sharp. Kobbie Mainoo bossed the centre of the pitch like he owned it, and with Mount and Hannibal offering energy and passing options, Leeds found it hard to build any real momentum.
Second Half: Youthful Energy and Hugill’s Moment
As expected in pre-season matches, the second half saw both managers make several changes. But the quality didn’t drop — not from United, at least.
Joe Hugill, who’s been quietly building a reputation at the academy level, made his mark in the 67th minute. After capitalizing on a loose ball just inside the box, he calmly slotted home United’s second. The celebration was modest, but the moment was massive, especially for a young striker pushing for senior minutes this season.
Meanwhile, Leeds continued to rotate and experiment, but they never looked like threatening a comeback.
Final Score: Manchester United 2-0 Leeds United
- Goal Scorers:
- Omari Forson (20’)
- Joe Hugill (67’)
- Player of the Match: Kobbie Mainoo, calm under pressure, constantly available, and at the heart of every good move United produced.
Manchester United vs Leeds United: Full Lineups
Manchester United (1st Half):
- Goalkeeper: Tom Heaton
- Defenders: Brandon Williams, Raphael Varane, Will Fish, Alvaro Fernandez
- Midfield: Kobbie Mainoo, Hannibal Mejbri, Mason Mount
- Forwards: Amad Diallo, Omari Forson, Jadon Sancho
2nd Half Changes:
- Goalkeeper: Matej Kovar
- Defenders: Jonny Evans, Di’Shon Bernard, Marc Jurado, Ethan Laird
- Midfield: Dan Gore, Zidane Iqbal, Isak Hansen-Aaroen
- Forwards: Joe Hugill, Shola Shoretire, Noam Emeran
Leeds United (Starting XI):
- Goalkeeper: Kristoffer Klaesson
- Defenders: Luke Ayling, Charlie Cresswell, Pascal Struijk, Leo Hjelde
- Midfield: Archie Gray, Darko Gyabi, Sam Greenwood
- Forwards: Wilfried Gnonto, Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville
Where to Watch the Replay or Highlights?
If you missed the match live, no worries. MUTV has full match replays and extended highlights available for subscribers. This is the best way to relive all the key moments, especially if you want to see how United’s young guns are shaping up for the season ahead.
Here’s the official replay platform: MUTV.com
(Always use official club channels for streaming to avoid broken links or malware.)
What This Match Really Means
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a tune-up match. This was a glimpse into United’s future. Omari Forson and Joe Hugill showed that the academy is producing serious talent. And if you’re a fan who’s been waiting for youth to get real chances, this game gave you plenty to be excited about.
Kobbie Mainoo, meanwhile, looks like he’s already secured his place in Ten Hag’s midfield plans. The youngster played with maturity beyond his years and dictated play for long stretches of the match.
On the other side, Leeds will need to regroup. There’s still talent in that squad, but they looked like a team in transition, which, to be fair, they are.
What’s Next for Man Utd?
United continues its pre-season tour with high-profile fixtures in the U.S., including matches against Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan. These games will pose sterner tests, but also offer more clues as to how Ten Hag plans to line up when the Premier League kicks off.
Fans can expect to see more of the youth squad, but the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and Casemiro are likely to join up soon.
Final Thoughts
Pre-season or not, a win against Leeds always feels sweet for Manchester United fans. And while the scoreline might not matter much in the grand scheme of things, the performance surely does.
Young players are stepping up. Tactical systems are falling into place. A manager who trusts the process.
There’s still a long way to go, but if this match is any indicator, Manchester United is building something that fans can truly get behind.
