There is a chance the match gets called off, depending how Leeds United finish the season
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
13:47, 11 Apr 2026
Leeds United played Manchester United in Stockholm during pre-season last year
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Leeds United played Manchester United in Stockholm during pre-season last year(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Croke Park chief executive Peter McKenna believes it is “unlikely” that Leeds United get relegated from the Premier League but recognises the risk that the club’s friendly with Manchester United in August is a risk of collapsing.
Should Leeds go down or win the FA Cup - something McKenna says is the more likely possibility - the Whites will have to withdraw from the friendly, which is set to be the first soccer match at the 82,300-capacity ground since 2009.
In such a case, Man United will still play with a different opponent sought. Asked about the ambiguity hanging over the friendly - prior to West Ham United’s win over Wolves on Friday which saw Leeds’ gap to the bottom three cut to three points - McKenna offered his stance.
“That is the joy of sport, you never know what the result is going to be," McKenna told BBC Sport. "It is very clear Manchester United will be here on [August] 12th. The opposition is Leeds but there are a couple of concerns.
"Could Leeds be relegated? I think that is unlikely given their position in the table and some of the clubs below them, who are struggling. But you never know. That is an unpredictability.
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"They could also win the FA Cup final and that would change things. That is more likely. They are a good team. That could happen. If it does, we will just have to chase different opposition."
Alluding to the fact that the fixture could be cancelled for White fans at the time of the friendly announcement, Leeds United said: “Please note, this fixture is subject to Leeds United retaining Premier League status.
"This fixture is also subject to the club not participating in the 2026 FA Community Shield.
"The club will not offer refunds on travel expenses in the event of relegation or participation in the 2026 FA Community Shield. The ticket operator will offer refunds on tickets sold for the match."
Leeds could end the weekend just one point above the relegation zone ahead of Monday night’s trip to Manchester United, should Tottenham Hotspur defeat Sunderland on Sunday.
Leeds play Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday, April 26. Should they win, they will face either Manchester City or Southampton in the final on Saturday, May 16.
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