It’s a friendly, but it’s also the football version of the War of the Roses at the same time. Manchester United versus Leeds United, in Oslo, Norway for an early preseason tune-up.
It’s a wonderful feeling- taking a nice break from the silly season so that we can finally talk about a match again. Yes, even if it is just an exhibition.
Man United vs Leeds (Club Friendly) FYIs
Kickoff: Wed July 12, 4pm
Location: Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo
Why it’s called the Roses Rivalry/Deeper History of the matchup: go here
Manchester United Team News
As it’s preseason, we don’t have any fresh injuries to discuss for anyone. However, Lisandro Martinez and Donny van de Beek are back in full training having missed a big final chunk of the season due to injuries.
United have a whole host of players (including Marcus Rashford, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, among others) who are just getting back from international competition this week, so they won’t likely feature here, but even if they do, it’ll be only in a cameo role.
This may be the first chance to see Mason Mount, the club’s only signing so far this summer, in action in a red shirt.
As for Leeds, new manager Daniel Farke has a real project on his hands, with the club now back in the Championship. This won’t provide much of an opportunity for him to see what he has, and what he doesn’t have, because his injury list is long.
Manchester United Starting XI Prediction
Heaton; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Fernandez; Mount, McTominay; Sancho, Antony, Martial; Amad.
Prediction: United 1, Leeds 0
Look for the Red Devils to score a W in their first exhibition match of the preseason. Yes, the deadest of the dead time is now over. It goes fast doesn’t it? The season will be here before you know it.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.