BOYLE Sports Cup
Manchester United 1 (Zirkzee 16’)
Leeds United 1 (Aaronson 29’)
Manchester United win 5-4 on penalties
Leeds first half XI: Trafford (GK), Bogle, Muharemović, James, Longstaff, Nmecha, Bijol (C), Tanaka, Bornauw, Chadwick.
Leeds second half XI: Cairns (GK), Ampadu (C), Rodon, Calvert-Lewin, Wilson, Stach, Okafor, James, Gnonto, Bornauw, Cresswell.
Venue: Croke Park | Attendance: 82,300 | Referee: Neil Doyle
Leeds United were once again in pre-season action on Wednesday evening as they took to Croke Park to face Manchester United in the BOYLE Sports Cup.
After a productive 90 minutes came to a close with the score all square despite Brenden Aaronson’s first half goal, the opposition edged the penalty shootout.
Ahead of the clash in Dublin, Daniel Farke named a side with six changes from the win over RB Leipzig, including a first start between the sticks for club record signing James Trafford.
The stopper quickly got acclimatised to action in a Leeds shirt, as he received the ball from Daniel James straight from kick off following Neil Doyle’s whistle before launching up field to the chest of Lukas Nmecha but the opposition dealt with the danger.
Following a quiet opening 10 minutes, our new number 1 was the first ‘keeper tested as he got down low quickly to prevent Joshua Zirkzee’s reactionary effort from nestling in the bottom corner.
However, Manchester United found the opener shortly after as Bryan Mbeumo squared the ball to Zirkzee who converted from inside the box.
Trafford was again called into action a few minutes afterwards, as he did well again to get down low, this time parrying an effort from Mbeumo destined for the bottom corner around the outside of the post.
Just before the half hour mark, Aaronson was on hand to level the affair, rewarding James’ hard work as the Welshman won possession and weaved past the opposition’s backline before squaring to our number 11 who fired into the back of the net!
As the clash descended closer to the break, James again broke free down the left flank and cut inside but his curling effort cleared the bar. Soon after, the whistle sounded to signal half time.
HALF TIME: Manchester United 1-1 Leeds United
Farke made 10 changes to his side at the interval, with only Sebastiaan Bornauw retaining his place in the side for the upcoming half.
Almost a carbon copy of the opening goal against RB Leipzig the week prior had Joe Rodon breaking down the right wing and crossing towards the centre of the box, this time to Harry Wilson, but his snap-shot was saved impressively.
More promise for Leeds followed, as Italian international Wilfried Gnonto’s cross had to be forced behind to prevent Dominic Calvert-Lewin making contact.
The resulting corner was cleared only as far as Alfie Cresswell on the edge of the area who curled towards the far post forcing Senne Lammens to intervene as he collected well.
What followed was a quiet next 15 minutes, as both teams struggled to create any clear openings until Bruno Fernandes had the ball in the back of the net but the flag was up for offside. The Portuguese midfielder then hit the crossbar with an effort from the edge of the area.
As Doyle blew the full-time whistle, the sets of players prepared for a round of spot-kicks which the opposition came out of as narrow winners.
FULL TIME: Manchester United 1-1 Leeds United
