Three things we learnt as United play out dull 0-0 draw with Leeds

Manchester United took on Leeds United in Sweden for their first pre-season test of the 2025/2026 season.

Altay Bayindir started in goal with Andre Onana injured. Diego Leon was given a debut ahead of Patrick Dorgu while Amad started at right wing back.

The first back three of the season consisted of Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw.

Toby Collyer was given a start in the centre of the park and was partnered by the experienced Casemiro. Other new signing Matheus Cunha started alongside Bruno Fernandes in the number tens while Chido Obi was given the nod ahead of Rasmus Hojlund.

Here are three things we learnt from the match.

Midfield issues still on show

With the signings of Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes is likely to play a lot of football this season in the central midfield areas.

Casemiro started alongside him against Leeds and they struggled to maintain any sort of control over the middle of the park.

The Brazilian did create the Red Devils’ best chance of the first half but he lacks the energy to cover the ground needed in a midfield two in modern football.

Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo came on at half-time but it was a similar story for United.

The Red Devils do have options but it seems clear, just as it did last season, that they need a midfielder who can provide more energy and passing range to balance the team.

Sadly, links to midfielders have been few and far between this summer as other positions like striker and goalkeeper are reportedly being prioritised.

Amad bright

The Ivorian was the shining light of last season and he started this pre-season in impressive form once again.

Being the first game of pre-season, he naturally lacked sharpness in comparison to his usual self but he still looked brighter than most during his 45 minutes on the pitch.

He tracked back well, ran at the Leeds defence and also showed some good passing.

The 23-year-old’s best moment came when he threaded through a lovely ball to Casemiro whose deflected effort glanced off the crossbar, in the best chance of the first half.

With two number ten signings this summer, Amad will most likely play a lot of games at right wing back and United fans will be excited to see how he progresses over the coming months.

Lack of goal threat

It is hard to read much into the first game of pre-season, especially when the team is completely changed at half-time.

Nonetheless, Ruben Amorim will be concerned about the lack of chances created against a team who were just promoted from the Championship.

United did come into the game more in the final 15 minutes of the first half but Tom Heaton was by far the busiest keeper in the first 20 minutes of the second half.

The Red Devils failed to carve open any real clear-cut chances, in what was a similar problem last year.

United did push in the final ten minutes for a goal and a penalty box scramble almost led to Kobbie Mainoo and Ayden Heaven scoring but it was too little, too late.

The club is said to be on the lookout for a new striker this summer and it is very clear to see why on the evidence of this afternoon’s match.

Featured image Linnea Rheborg via Getty Images

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