Leeds United go head-to-head with arch rivals Manchester United in their opening pre-season friendly on Saturday. It promises to be a good workout for the Whites as they continue their preparations for the 2025/26 campaign.
Daniel Farke’s troops face the Red Devils at the Strawberry Arena, with new arrivals Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bournauw and Gabriel Gudmundsson all in contention to be involved in the warm-up fixture. The clash is scheduled to kick off at 2pm UK time.
Supporters who are not travelling to Scandinavia later this week can watch the friendly on United's in-house service LUTV. Fans can purchase a match pass for £4.99, which will give them access to watch the entire 90 minutes live. The club have confirmed commentator Tom Hill will be joined by former Whites left-back Tony Dorigo in the gantry.
After the trip to Sweden, Farke's men jet out to Germany for a warm-weather training camp. They will play two friendlies as part of the camp. For the second year running, United have been denied permits to hold the matches in front of fans, with German police citing security issues.
A Leeds statement read: "Opponents and venues for fixtures were arranged earlier this year, and written assurances secured from both the German FA and our tour operator as well, given last summer we were asked at short notice by the police and local authorities not to bring supporters due to a resource strain following UEFA Euro 2024.
"Frustratingly, despite having matches agreed for a number of months, we have in the last week been informed that the police and local authorities will once again not grant a permit for us to play matches in front of spectators, will prohibit us from providing live updates and video streams, and have requested we discourage supporter travel.
"This comes despite multiple attempts to find a solution including offering various assurances, pursuing alternative scenarios that would allow for fan attendance, and even evaluating moving camp to a different location on short notice. Unfortunately, those efforts were fruitless due to the last second nature of our change in circumstances.
"This result is deeply frustrating to all of us, just as it is sure to frustrate and anger you, our loyal supporters, to whom we apologise unreservedly for this outcome."
The Whites will then return home and welcome La Liga side Villareal to Elland Road before rounding off their pre-season schedule with a clash against AC Milan in Dublin on Saturday, August 9. They entertain Everton in their Premier League opener on Monday, August 18.
United's pre-season dates:
United vs Manchester United - Strawberry Arena (Sweden) - Saturday, July 19, 2pm
United vs Villareal - Elland Road - Saturday, August 2, 3pm
United vs AC Milan - Aviva Stadium (Dublin) - Saturday, August 9, 3pm
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