More history at Croke Park as Man Utd beat Leeds on penalties
Manchester United beat Leeds United 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in a pre-season friendly at Dublin's Croke Park, watched by a sold-out crowd of 82,300. The match extended the stadium's landmark summer following the lifting of its ban on foreign sports.
Croke Park, the Dublin stadium best known for hurling and the Sam Maguire Cup, hosted one of English football's oldest rivalries on Wednesday night as Manchester United faced Leeds United in a pre-season friendly.
The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Manchester United going on to win 5-4 on penalties. A sold-out crowd of 82,300 attended the game in Dublin.
A historic occasion
This was the fourth meeting between the two clubs in Ireland over eight years, reflecting the strong Irish ties both teams share — including former Manchester United player George Best of Belfast and former Leeds full-back Gary Kelly. It was only the third time football has been played at Croke Park since the Gaelic Athletic Association amended its Rule 42, which had banned 'foreign' sports from the venue. The fixture also ended a nine-year gap since a football match was last held at the stadium and marked the first time two English clubs had played there.
Match action
Manchester United took the lead after just 16 minutes through a first-time strike from Joshua Zirkzee. Leeds equalised against the run of play through an unmarked Brenden Aaronson. Chances were scarce in the second half, but the crowd was energised by the introductions of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and summer signing Youri Tielemans. Substitute goalkeeper Dermot Mee, who has represented Northern Ireland at underage level, also played a key role after coming on in the second half.
Noussair Mazraoui scored the winning penalty, and Fernandes lifted the trophy afterwards as fans sang and spilled onto the streets of Dublin in celebration.
