Manchester United and Leeds United commenced their pre-season preparations with a lackluster 0-0 draw in Stockholm, Sweden, on Saturday. The match, played at the Strawberry Arena, marked Matheus Cunha's debut for the Red Devils following his £62.5 million move from Wolves.

Cunha, starting in the No. 10 role, showcased glimpses of his potential, demonstrating impressive close control and a forward-thinking approach. He drew a couple of early fouls, and one neat flick found Chido Obi in a promising position. However, the Brazilian's impact was limited by United's overall struggles to maintain consistent pressure and control possession. He was withdrawn at halftime along with other starters. Overall, Cunha completed 92% of his passes but only had 25 touches without a shot on goal.

The game itself failed to ignite, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances. Manchester United, under manager Rúben Amorim, fielded a strong starting XI including new signing Diego Leon. However, they lacked conviction in front of goal and failed to capitalize on their opportunities. Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo both hit the bar, but the Red Devils were largely uninspired in attack.

Leeds United, returning to the Premier League this season, put up a spirited performance. They enjoyed a good share of possession in the first half and created some decent chances, with Largie Ramazani forcing Tom Heaton into smart stops. Daniel Farke's side will likely be the happier of the two teams, as they continue their preparations for the upcoming Premier League campaign.

Manchester United introduced a completely new XI after halftime, giving several players valuable pre-season minutes. Patrick Dorgu looked threatening late in the game. Late in the game, Kobbie Mainoo's header hit the bar, and Ayden Heaven's follow-up was blocked on the goal-line.

The match served as an opportunity for both managers to assess their squads and experiment with different combinations. While the result was uninspiring, it provided a valuable platform for players to gain fitness and build chemistry ahead of the new season. Manchester United will travel to the United States for the Premier League Summer Series, while Leeds will continue their preparations with further friendlies.

The game saw a combined total of 44 players get their first pre-season minutes. Manchester United's starting XI included Bayindir, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Shaw, Amad, Casemiro, Collyer, Leon, Fernandes, Cunha, and Obi. Leeds United's starting XI featured Darlow, Byram, Bijol, Rodon, Dogle, Ampadu, Gruev, Tanaka, Harrison, Gnonto, and Nmecha.