Manchester United 1:1 Leeds United — Match Report

Gary RedknappFootball AnalystMATCH REPORT

Joshua Zirkzee’s first-half strike earned Manchester United a 1-1 draw with Leeds United in a Club Friendly, a result that sets up a trip to face Milan on 15 August. The forward’s goal was cancelled out within thirteen minutes, leaving the Old Trafford side with plenty of work to do before the competitive season begins.

The opener arrived in the 16th minute when Zirkzee finished from Bryan Mbeumo’s delivery, but Leeds hit back on 29 minutes as Brenden Aaronson converted Daniel James’s assist. United controlled the opening exchanges with eight first-half shots to Leeds’s four, yet they could not protect their lead and the tempo dipped after the interval.

United dominated possession at 59% and fired 15 shots to Leeds’s 13, with eight corners against two, but an xG of 0.00 on both sides tells of a blunt attacking display. Leeds actually improved after the break, managing nine shots to United’s seven, so this was a case of the better side on the ball failing to turn pressure into reward. Zirkzee’s rating of 7.7 made him the standout, the forward’s goal and intelligent movement the only real cutting edge. The next test for United comes against Milan on 15 August.

Questions & Answers

What was the final score of Manchester United vs Leeds United?

Manchester United 1-1 Leeds United (Club Friendly Games).

Who scored?

Joshua Zirkzee (16', assist Bryan Mbeumo) for Manchester United; Brenden Aaronson (29', assist Daniel James) for Leeds United.

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