United to play Leeds in Stockholm

Manchester United will take on Leeds United in Stockholm on Saturday 19 July in the opening fixture of the club’s preparations for the men’s 2025/26 season.

The fixture, which kicks off at 15:00 CET (14:00 BST), sees United return to Strawberry Arena – formerly known as the Friends Arena – for the first time since the 2017 UEFA Europa League final, when United beat Ajax 2-0 to lift the trophy for the first time in the club’s history.

United has a rich connection with Sweden, as three of our players have captained the national side during their career.

The first was Henrik Larsson, who won the Premier League with United while on loan in 2007, followed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was also part of that Europa League-winning squad in 2017. Victor Lindelof is Sweden’s current captain.

In addition, Old Trafford has been home to three other Swedes – 1999 Treble winner Jesper Blomqvist, plus Academy alumni Anthony Elanga and Bojan Djordjic.

The fixtures between United and Leeds are traditionally exciting, with 26 goals coming in the past six Premier League meetings.

Daniel Farke’s side currently sit top of the Championship table and will hope to resume the famous trans-Pennine rivalry in the Premier League next season.

United last played Leeds in the summer of 2023, also in a pre-season friendly in Scandinavia. United won 2-0 in the Norwegian capital Oslo, with the goals coming from Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill.

The club’s most recent visit to Sweden for pre-season preparations came in 2016, with Galatasaray the opponents in Gothenburg. The match marked the debut for Ibrahimovic, who scored a trademark bicycle kick in the fourth minute.

Ibrahimovic would go on to be United’s top scorer that season, helping United win both the EFL Cup and Europa League.

HOW TO BUY TICKETS

Pre-sale tickets are available for this fixture from 09:00 GMT (10:00 CET) on Wednesday.

The general sale window opens on Friday 21 March at 09:00 GMT (10:00 CET) and can be accessed here.

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