Leeds United defender Jayden Bogle has fired a warning to Manchester United ahead of their pre-season clash at Croke Park on Wednesday, insisting the fixture will be anything but friendly. The two clubs share one of English football's most heated rivalries, and Bogle, who started in Leeds' memorable 2-1 victory at Old Trafford last April, made it clear that the competitive edge remains despite the pre-season setting.
Bogle's warning: 'It's not going to be a friendly'
Asked directly if the match can truly be considered a friendly, Bogle told LUTV: 'No, you can't. Even though it is pre-season, it is not going to be a friendly. We will recover now and then prepare for that one next.' His comments underscore the intensity of the rivalry, which has seen Leeds pick up a significant result against their historic foes in recent memory.
Last season, Leeds and Manchester United played out a 1-1 draw at Elland Road in January, but it was the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in April that stood out, with Noah Okafor scoring twice to secure a 2-1 win for the Yorkshire side. Bogle was part of that victorious team, and he is clearly keen to replicate that success on Irish soil.
Carrick plays down the hype
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick, however, has taken a more measured approach, focusing on the trip to Ireland rather than the rivalry. 'I'm looking forward to it,' Carrick said. 'It's been, a little bit, different chapters through pre-season and we'll get everybody together, when we get to Dublin over the next couple of days. It'll be great, two more games this week and, again, I'm looking forward to seeing the group develop.'
United's pre-season has been a globe-trotting affair, with matches already played in Helsinki, Trondheim, Solna, and Goteborg. The Red Devils have also lined up fixtures in Dublin and Wroclaw, Poland, where they will face AC Milan. Their recent form has been encouraging, with a win over Atletico Madrid and a 1-1 draw against European champions PSG.
Rashford's reintegration continues
Marcus Rashford has joined up with the United squad in Ireland as he continues his reintegration at the club. The England winger has been handed a new squad number – 14 – and could feature against Leeds on Wednesday. Carrick has confirmed that Rashford will be part of the squad for their final two pre-season friendlies, saying: 'We have a full squad next week in Dublin. We fly straight there and meet Leeds on Wednesday. We have a few days in Dublin where we have the whole squad, including Marcus, Kobbie [Mainoo] and Lisandro [Martinez].'
Carrick, who played alongside Rashford during his own playing days, added: 'I've played with him. I played in the game he made his debut, so we have a history.'
Rivalry renewed on foreign soil
The match at Croke Park, the iconic GAA stadium in Dublin, adds another layer to the storied rivalry. While the game may be a pre-season friendly, the passion from both sets of fans is expected to be palpable. Bogle's comments suggest that the players are equally invested in the outcome, making Wednesday's clash a must-watch for football enthusiasts.
As United look to build momentum ahead of the new season, Leeds will be eager to prove that their Old Trafford triumph was no fluke. With Rashford potentially making his first appearance of the summer and Bogle's determination to maintain the upper hand, all eyes will be on Dublin for what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter.
