Manchester United laboured to a goalless draw with fierce foes Leeds United in their opening pre-season fixture of the summer on Saturday.
Both clubs donned their recently unveiled away shirts at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm, but it was those in the blue of Leeds who made the marginally more encouraging start to a low-key affair. An early delivery flashed across the face of Altay Bayındır’s goal was the closest either side came in the opening exchanges, with debutant Lukas Nmecha close to turning home from four yards.
Man Utd youngster Chido Obi produced the first shot on target of the afternoon shortly after the half-hour mark but his speculative effort was confidently rebuffed by Karl Darlow, with Casemiro’s deflected effort rebounding off the crossbar in first-half stoppage time as Ruben Amorim’s side started to find their footing.
Much like the first half, it was Leeds who were brighter at the beginning of the second period. Jayden Bogle’s marauding runs had caused Man Utd problems before the break and another lung-busting burst from the right-back resulted in half-time substitute Tom Heaton being called into action. From the subsequent corner, Ao Tanaka fired an effort agonisingly wide.
The veteran goalkeeper proved his side’s saviour again just a few minutes later as Leeds opened up their rivals. Ex-Man Utd forward Largie Ramazani found himself one-on-one with Heaton but the 39-year-old closed the angle effectively to keep the game goalless.
Patrick Dorgu half-heartedly appealed for a penalty in the last 10 minutes following a clumsy challenge from Sam Chambers in the area but the referee waved play on, with the Denmark international quickly returning to his feet to test Illan Meslier.
Man Utd waited until the dying embers to produce their best opportunity of the afternoon as a set-piece delivery caused chaos in Leeds’ box. Kobbie Mainoo headed onto the crossbar and Ayden Heaven saw his subsequent effort dramatically blocked as the Red Devils ultimately drew a blank in Stockholm.
