Manchester United are back for a new season, and Ten Hag is building his squad over the summer. This pre-season sees United jetting across various countries and a whole US tour sandwiched either side of some of the other games in Oslo, Edinburgh, Old Trafford and Ireland.

The opening game of the pre-season, saw a very youthful looking United side heading to Norway for a clash with another well supported side in the country, and arch-rival club in Leeds United. Ten Hag put a very youthful side out with a few first teamers also making the trip over, and a debut for new man Mason Mount played out a strong showing in which Manchester United got off to a winning start, and avoided a defeat to a big rival.

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Teams

Manchester United: Heaton (Kovar 46′), Fernandez (Williams 46′), Martinez (Jurado 46′), Varane (Bennett 46′), Wan-Bissaka (Fish 46′), Mejbri (Gore 46′), Mainoo (Shoretire 46′), Forson (Hansen-Aaroen 46′), Mount (Savage 46′), Amad (Hugill 46′), Sancho (Emeran 46′)

Subs: Bishop, Collyer, Oyedele

Leeds United: Klaesson (Van Den Heuvel 46′), Hjelde (Ayling 46′), Cooper (Struijk 46′), Chilokoa-Mullen (Moore 46′), Drameh, Sinisterra (Bamford 46′), Gyabi (James 46′), Shackleton (Gelhardt 46′), Poveda (Fernandez 46′), Rutter (Gray 46′), Greenwood (Bate 46′)

Subs: Christy, Firpo, Monteiro, Wober, Perkins

Manchester United 2-0 Leeds United

Manchester United began their 2023 pre-season with a confident 2–0 win over Leeds United in Oslo on Wednesday, 12 July. The friendly at Ullevaal Stadion saw a youthful United side blend with a few senior figures, as both teams looked to shake off the summer rust. The first half was an even affair, with debutant Mason Mount showing flashes of quality in his first appearance for the Reds, while Leeds threatened occasionally through Luis Sinisterra. Despite the lively tempo, neither side managed to break the deadlock before the interval.

Erik ten Hag made wholesale changes at half-time, introducing a fresh XI largely made up of academy prospects, and it was the youngsters who made the difference. In the 67th minute, Noam Emeran latched onto a clever through ball from Isak Hansen-Aarøen and calmly slotted past the Leeds goalkeeper to give United the lead. The French forward turned provider later on, squaring the ball for Joe Hugill to finish from close range in the 81st minute, sealing the win. United might have added a third when Rhys Bennett hit the post late on, but the two goals were enough to ensure a positive result.

The performance was an encouraging start to United’s pre-season campaign, particularly given the impact of the club’s promising youngsters. Ten Hag will have been pleased with the energy, pressing, and composure shown by his developing side, while Leeds, under new management and adjusting after relegation, had moments of enterprise but lacked the final touch. For United, it was a satisfying day’s work and a glimpse into the bright future emerging from their academy ranks.

Talking Points

Manchester United kicked off their 2023 pre-season in perfect fashion with a 2–0 win over fierce rivals Leeds United in Oslo. While the result itself won’t define the season, it set a positive tone for Erik ten Hag’s preparations and gave fans an early reason to smile. The match, played in front of a lively crowd at the Ullevaal Stadion, saw United dominate much of the contest, particularly after the break. A pair of well-taken goals from academy prospects Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill ensured the Red Devils began their summer schedule with a comfortable victory against a familiar foe.

One of the biggest takeaways from the afternoon was Ten Hag’s continued faith in youth. The second-half changes transformed the side into a team filled with hungry academy talents eager to impress. Emeran’s composed finish and Hugill’s poacher’s instinct underlined the quality emerging from Carrington, while Isak Hansen-Aarøen’s creativity caught the eye in midfield. The young Reds showed maturity beyond their years, pressing aggressively and maintaining composure in possession, reflecting the manager’s tactical principles even in a low-stakes environment. It was a reminder that United’s future pipeline remains strong, and that several of these names could be pushing for senior involvement sooner rather than later.

All eyes, though, were on Mason Mount as he made his first appearance in a Manchester United shirt following his summer move from Chelsea. The England international slotted seamlessly into midfield, showing glimpses of his trademark energy, sharp movement, and technical quality. While he didn’t get on the scoresheet, Mount’s link-up play and pressing intensity immediately stood out, drawing applause from the travelling fans. It was a solid, encouraging debut, the kind that suggests he’ll quickly become an integral part of Ten Hag’s setup as United build toward the new Premier League campaign.