Manchester United officially confirm first pre-season friendly for 2026/27 season

Manchester United have officially confirmed their first pre-season fixture ahead of the 2026/27 season, with preparations already taking shape behind the scenes.

The club announced that the Red Devils will face rivals Leeds United in Dublin this summer, marking the beginning of their scheduled tour preparations.

The match is set to take place at Croke Park, with kick-off scheduled for 12 August.

It will be a historic occasion, with the fixture becoming the first-ever club football match hosted at the iconic Irish venue.

United confirmed the news via their official website, highlighting both the scale of the stadium and the strong support the club continues to receive across Ireland.

The fixture forms part of a wider pre-season schedule that is expected to feature several high-profile opponents.

It has already been reported that Manchester United are set to face teams across Scandinavia, including Paris Saint-Germain, Wrexham, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid as part of their summer tour.

From a squad perspective, there are likely to be notable changed by the time pre-season begins.

Casemiro has already confirmed that he will leave the club at the end of the current campaign, meaning he will not be involved in preparations for the new season.

That opens the door for midfield reinforcements, with Sandro Tonali among the players heavily linked.

United have maintained strong interest in the Italian, and his situation could present an opportunity.

Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup means Tonali would be available throughout the summer, potentially allowing for a smoother integration into pre-season if a deal is completed.

Matches like this will be key for building momentum.

Facing a historic rival in Leeds United offers both competitive intensity and a chance to assess tactical adjustments early.

As preparations begin to take shape, this announcement signals the first step in what could be a defining summer for Manchester United.