Man United vs Leeds: Team news as Lisandro Martinez returns for much-changed Red Devils in heated Premier League clash – UK Times

There are stakes at both ends of the table in tonight’s clash between these arch-rivals – but in a few months’ time, these two will meet again on a much more unique, and less pressurised, occasion.

United’s pre-season plans begun to take shape last week after confirming their first friendly as a clash in Dublin against tonight’s opposition, Leeds.

The Premier League rivals will meet at the 82,000-capacity Croke Park stadium on 12 August and will be one of six matches being planned for United in Europe during the summer.

It will be the first football match staged at the venue – which is the traditional home of Gaelic sports – since the Republic of Ireland faced France there in 2009’s World Cup play-off; the night of Thierry Henry’s infamous handball that proved decisive in denying Ireland a place at the tournament finals.

Leeds are without the injured Anton Stach and Joe Rodon, with James Justin appearing to move into left centre-back.

Jaka Bijol, Noah Okafor and Gabi Gudmundsson were all considered doubts but do start tonight.

Michael Carrick has made very few changes to his team in his time in charge but, all of sudden there are four tonight.

Manuel Ugarte makes his first start under Carrick, with no Kobbie Mainoo.

A fit-again Lisandro Martinez is in for the banned Harry Maguire.

Noussair Mazraoui starts instead of Diogo Dalot and Bryan Mbeumo makes way for Benjamin Sesko.

Leeds XI: Darlow; Struijk, Bijol, Justin; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson; Aaronson; Okafor, Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Perri, Byram, Bornauw, Longstaff, Gruev, Gnonto, Buonanotte, Piroe, Nmecha.

Man United XI: Lammens; Mazraoui, Yoro, Martinez Shaw; Casemiro, Ugarte; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.

Subs: Bayindir, Dalot, Heaven, Malacia, Mount, Fletcher, Lacey, Mbeumo, Zirkzee.

Just a few minutes away from learning this evening’s team news – here’s what we know already…

United welcomed Lisandro Martinez back to the fold during their training camp in County Kildare, meaning the Argentine is in contention after five games out. Mason Mount, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko are also set to be available but the game will come too soon for Patrick Dorgu, who is not yet ready to return. Matthijs De Ligt remains absent while Harry Maguire, who signed a new contract this week, is suspended.

Leeds will make the trip across the Pennines without Anton Stach and Joe Rodon, while former United winger Dan James is also unavailable. Jaka Bijol, Noah Okafor and Gabi Gudmundsson are all doubts.

Michael Carrick has confirmed he is taking an active role in Manchester United’s planning for next season, despite awaiting a decision on his own future.

“Certainly, in the role I’m in, there’s decisions that need taking care of,” he said.

“I said it as soon as I came here – I’m part of that and whatever that looks like moving forward, I’m part of that.

“I’m trying to improve things and make things better all the time. Certainly there’s conversations in different directions and different things that I’m definitely part of. And I think it should be that way anyway, because things need done. So I’m here to take care of that.”

Position: 15th | Played: 31 | Points: 33 | GD: -11

• 13 April – Manchester United (A)
• 18 April – Wolves (H)
• 25 April – Bournemouth (A)
• 2 May – Burnley (H)
• 9 May – Tottenham (A)
• 17 May – Brighton (H)
• 24 May – West Ham (A)

Where to pick up points? The fixtures have fallen fairly kindly for Leeds and the chances are there for them to secure Premier League football next season. Three wins would definitely be enough to survive and two may well do it, so they’ll be eyeing up home fixtures against the current bottom two – Wolves and Burnley – to get over the line. Away games against relegation rivals Tottenham and West Ham also look like prime opportunities to get results on the board.

Tricky contests? Their first game after the international break, away to high-flying Manchester United, is their toughest remaining fixture on paper and leaving Old Trafford with anything would be hugely impressive. That is their only game against a team currently above 10th in the standings but a trip to Bournemouth in April and hosting European football-chasing Brighton in their penultimate fixture won’t be easy. Will an FA Cup quarter-final against West Ham straight after the international break prove to be a welcome distraction or a hindrance?

Final straight? Leeds will be desperate to have secured safety by the time they travel to West Ham on the final day but if not, that could be a high-octane shootout for survival. Games against Brighton and Spurs immediately preceding that are too unfriendly as finales go.

Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Jadon Sancho for a third time when his troubled spell at Manchester United officially ends, The Independent understands.

The winger is on loan at Aston Villa this season but is available on a free transfer in the summer and Dortmund have confirmed they hope to bring him back to the Signal Iduna Park.

Sancho is in the final months of a six-year contract at Old Trafford – though he has not played for United since the 2024 Community Shield and has not appeared for them in the Premier League since 2023 – and while they have an option to extend his deal for a year, they are unlikely to do so.