Manchester United needed a penalty shootout to see off Leeds United 5-4 after a 1-1 draw in Dublin, in a pre-season friendly notable for being the first football match staged at Croke Park since 2009.
A crowd in excess of 80,000 packed into the home of Gaelic games to watch Michael Carrick's side edge out Daniel Farke's Leeds in the Boyle Sports Cup, with Noussair Mazraoui converting the winning spot-kick after James Justin had struck the crossbar for Leeds in sudden death.
United took an early lead through Joshua Zirkzee, who continued his fine pre-season form. Bryan Mbeumo was the architect, surging away from Jaka Bijol before threading a pass through for the unmarked Zirkzee to finish first time past goalkeeper James Trafford. It was the pair's second combination of the night, having already forced a save from Trafford earlier through a similar move.
Mbeumo was United's standout performer throughout the first half, also setting up a chance for Diogo Dalot and later seeing his own low effort turned behind by Trafford. He almost doubled United's lead before the interval when a deflected, curling shot crashed against the underside of the crossbar.
Leeds levelled matters just before the half-hour mark. Dan James dispossessed Tyler Fletcher in a dangerous area and drove at the United defence before squaring for Brenden Aaronson, who calmly slotted past Senne Lammens, United's new number one following Altay Bayindir's departure on loan.
Both managers made wholesale changes at the break. Carrick withdrew Patrick Dorgu, Andrey Santos and Mbeumo, handing debuts and rare opportunities to fringe players including 18-year-old Tynan Thompson and Daniel Armer. Farke made ten alterations, with only Sebastiaan Bornauw retained from his starting lineup.
Leeds nearly went ahead shortly after the restart when Harry Wilson, guided into a shooting position by Joe Rodon's cross, saw his effort saved by Lammens.
United's captain Bruno Fernandes entered the fray on the hour alongside new signings Youri Tielemans and Matheus Cunha. Fernandes looked lively, having what appeared to be a goal ruled out for offside after latching onto Luke Shaw's pass, before striking the crossbar late on with a curling attempt.
The match ended in unusual circumstances as several young supporters invaded the pitch to take selfies with Fernandes, with security slow to react as more fans followed. Play did not resume before referee Neil Doyle called full time.
In the shootout that followed, Fernandes missed his attempt in uncharacteristic fashion, but United held their nerve. Justin's effort for Leeds cannoned off the crossbar in sudden death, allowing Mazraoui to step up and seal the win for United.
Marcus Rashford, back in the United fold after the Club World Cup, travelled with the squad but was not included in the matchday group. Along with Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo, he had only recently returned to training. Carrick indicated the trio were being held back for United's meeting with former manager Ruben Amorim's AC Milan side in Wroclaw. Also absent were Mason Mount, as a precaution, and Tom Heaton, whose issue is under assessment.
United will face Milan in their final pre-season fixture before opening their Premier League campaign against Hull. Leeds host Augsburg before beginning their season away at Nottingham Forest.
Based on reporting from The Guardian, The Independent, and The Standard.