MANCHESTER UNITED’S warm-up friendly against Leeds was DELAYED due to heavy traffic around the stadium.

The Red Devils kicked-off their pre-season campaign in Sweden in what was a dull 0-0 draw with old foes Leeds.

United confirmed at the last minute that the game would be pushed back by 10 minutes on Saturday afternoon.

The new kick-off was set to 14:10 BST, with live coverage on MUTV and SunSport blogging the game.

This was to allow fans to arrive at Stockholm’s Strawberry Arena, where United beat Ajax to the Europa League in 2017, on time.

The new Premier League campaign is less than a month away with preparations now fully underway for both sides.

It marked the first time United fans got to see new signing Matheus Cunha in action.

The Brazilian striker, who was awarded Marcus Rashford’s esteemed No10 shirt, was handed his first start.

Cunha started alongside Bruno Fernandes in the No 10 positions and behind teenager Chido Obi, who led the line. 

United’s woeful 2024-25 campaign saw them finish 15th in the Prem and without a trophy after Europa League final heartbreak against Tottenham.

Amorim, 40, has been desperate to lock his squad down on the training pitch and will hope his first pre-season provides the opportunity to further leave his print on the team.

Fellow new signing Diego Leon, 18, was also been given his first start from left-back after sealing his move from Cerro Porteno in Paraguay.

Forest in Sensational Sancho Swoop

Latest £71million recruit Bryan Mbeumo is expected to meet up with the squad for the first time during their US Tour next week.

Meanwhile, the five-player ‘Bomb Squad’ of Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia and Antony have not travelled with the squad.

Instead, Amorim’s castaways are seeking new clubs and training alone back in the UK, with the big development linking Sancho with Nottingham Forest.

Rashford is reportedly on the brink of a dream loan move to Barcelona after United struck and agreement with the Nou Camp chiefs, according to The Athletic.

But the infamous five aren’t the only ones missing in action.

Joshua Zirkzee, recently linked with a move to Atalanta, is out with a minor injury.

Andre Onana has been ruled out of all of pre-season thanks to a hamstring tear and could even miss the start of the new Premier League campaign.

United are looking at possible replacements, including Emi Martinez from Aston Villa and one of Europe‘s best up-and-coming stoppers in Senne Lammens.

Amorim’s squad will head stateside this week, to compete in the Premier League Summer Series, alongside Bournemouth, Everton and West Ham.

Read the full article here

Share.
Leave A Reply

Exit mobile version