Manchester United extended their unbeaten run in pre-season to four matches after beating rivals Leeds United 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw in Dublin.

Joshua Zirkzee saw his goal cancelled out by Brenden Aaronson, and with nothing to split the two sides at a packed-out Croke Park, Noussair Mazraoui tucked away the winning penalty.

It handed United a timely boost, with their preparations for the new season ending with a clash with AC Milan and former Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim.

Diogo Dalot and Zirkzee called James Trafford into action early in his Leeds debut.

But the former Manchester City goalkeeper could do nothing to stop United taking the lead in the 16th minute when Zirkzee steered Bryan Mbeumo's cross into the bottom-left corner. 

However, Aaronson dragged Leeds level with a composed finish past Senne Lammens, before Mbeumo twice came close to restoring United's lead, with his latter attempt deflecting onto the crossbar. 

Harry Wilson, one of nine changes made by Daniel Farke at half-time, forced Lammens into a smart stop early into the second half, with James Justin's curler also needing to be pushed to safety by substitute goalkeeper Dermot Mee. 

United piled on the pressure late on as Bruno Fernandes saw a goal ruled out for offside before smacking the crossbar, with penalties deciding who would take home the bragging rights.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Luke Shaw scored to get both teams up and running, only for Wilson to see his spot-kick saved.

Fernandes surprisingly dragged United's fourth penalty wide, but in sudden death, Justin smashed the crossbar, paving the way for Mazraoui to send Alex Cairns the wrong way and seal the win.

Nous rolls it home and wins us the shootout!

Leeds: 
United: 

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 12, 2026

Third time lucky for Zirkzee?

Zirkzee's career at Old Trafford has failed to take flight since joining from Bologna two years ago, managing just 12 goal contributions (nine goals, three assists) across 75 appearances across all competitions, but he was one of Michael Carrick's standout players here. 

The Dutchman finished with team-high totals for shots (three) and touches in the opposition box (five), while only Amad Diallo (three) created more chances for United than Zirkzee (two), who proved effective when dropping deep and playing in the attacking midfield role. 

With Benjamin Sesko out injured, Zirkzee still has work to do in securing a regular first-team spot ahead of the likes of Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, but his performance here did his chances no harm of giving Carrick a headache ahead of United's final match of pre-season.

Leeds will feel they could have won this game in normal time. United finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.17 from their 15 shots to Leeds' tally of 2.02 from their 13 attempts.