Leeds United are expected to announce a pre-season friendly against Manchester United this August, taking place at Croke Park in Dublin.
United’s Premier League season could end up going down to the wire as we sit four points clear of the relegation zone.
However, the club already have lucrative plans in place for this summer’s pre-season schedule. We know we’re to across the Atlantic, while being set to face a bitter rival closer to home.
Leeds United set to announce Croke Park pre-season clash with Manchester United
Leeds have already confirmed an eye-catching pre-season tour of the United States. In which, we are set to face Liverpool, Sunderland and Wrexham as the 49ers look to cash in on overseas markets.
Now, the Irish Independent have reported this week that United are set for another high-profile pre-season friendly. It’s revealed that Leeds are pencilled in to take on Man Utd at Croke Park in Dublin. The fixture is set to take place on Wednesday August 12th.
This meeting will be the third time that Leeds will face the Old Trafford club in pre-season since the 49ers’ takeover in the summer of 2023. Following relegation, Leeds faced Man Utd in Oslo as part of Daniel Farke’s first pre-season. And then, we met them again following promotion last summer in Stockholm.
Leeds have been able to schedule a fixture this late in the pre-season schedule due to the delayed start of the 26/27 Premier League season. Next campaign is due to start on August 22nd due to the World Cup this June.
Leeds United risk Man Utd PR nightmare if relegated to the Championship
Obviously, the club have to get pre-season plans in place well ahead of time. So, booking in this fixture is something that likely can’t wait until the summer. It’s a lucrative fixture to get booked as well. With the Premier League shifting to season-on-season revenue calculations in new spending restrictions, it’s definitely worthwhile.
That being said, it represents a potential risk from a PR perspective, given Leeds’ precarious Premier League position as things stand.
Leeds could very well be relegated back to the Championship this season. As a result, this game would surely have to be cancelled.
The 26/27 EFL campaign begins on Friday August 14th. Should Leeds unfortunately be doomed to return to the second tier, this friendly surely can’t go forward.
Of course, the hope is that Leeds have nothing to worry about here. Farke has continuously stated his confidence in our credentials to stay in the division.
However, there’s always the fear this announcement comes back to bite.
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