Noussair Mazraoui scored the decisive spot-kick as Manchester United beat Leeds 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after their pre-season friendly at Dublin’s Croke Park finished 1-1.
There was the rare sight of Bruno Fernandes missing from the spot before it went to sudden death, but after James Justin’s effort struck the crossbar, Mazraoui finished the job.
Joshua Zirkzee had fired United in front in the 16th minute, set up by the excellent Bryan Mbeumo.
But Leeds drew level with the first real chance just before the half-hour mark, Brenden Aaronson applying the finishing touch after fine work from former United winger Daniel James.
Fernandes, on as a substitute, hit the crossbar late on but the 90 minutes ended in bizarre fashion after two young fans ran on to the pitch to take selfies with the United skipper.
When security did not immediately intervene, at least three others joined in and play did not restart before referee Neil Doyle blew for full time.
The match, the first game of association football at the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 2009, was played in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 80,000.
Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford were among those watching on, not involved after only joining the training camp at the start of the week following the World Cup.
But before the match Michael Carrick said he was holding the trio “in reserve” for Saturday’s friendly against former boss Ruben Amorim and AC Milan in Wroclaw, potentially Rashford’s first appearance in a United shirt since December 2024.
Mbeumo ran the first half. It was from his cross that Zirkzee brought a smart early save from Leeds’ record signing James Trafford.
The same pair quickly combined again for the opening goal. Mbeumo spun away from Jaka Bijol just inside the United half and charged down the left, drawing out Leeds new boy Tarik Muharemovic and slipping the ball through for an unmarked Zirkzee to finish first time.
Next, Mbeumo sent Diogo Dalot running through within two minutes of the goal, a vital interception from Muharemovic preventing a second goal, and then had United’s next clear chance himself.
He tried to find Patrick Dorgu but when Sebastiaan Bornauw cut out the pass, Mbeumo’s low shot was turned around the post by Trafford.
Leeds were level with 29 minutes gone. James drew two defenders as he ran at goal, then laid it off for Aaronson to do the rest.
Mbeumo could have had United back in front before the break but his curling shot, which picked up a deflection as it looped over Trafford, hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced clear.
After a flurry of half-time changes, including a debut for United’s new 18-year-old winger Tynan Thompson, Leeds should have gone ahead six minutes in when Joe Rodon’s low cross found Harry Wilson, but the summer signing’s shot was straight at Senne Lammens.
Fernandes was among six United players to join the fray on the hour and, having seen one strike ruled out for offside, he hit the crossbar with a curling effort five minutes from time before it went to penalties.
