Rashford sits out Leeds friendly but remains in Carrick's plans

Manchester United and Leeds shared a 1-1 draw in a friendly at Croke Park in Dublin, with the Red Devils edging the penalty shoot-out 5-4. Joshua Zirkzee and Brenden Aaronson scored in regular time, according to Sky Sports.

The notable absentee was Marcus Rashford, who did not feature despite rejoining training this week after more than 18 months away from action. The 82,000-strong crowd at the ground had hoped to catch a first glimpse of him in a United shirt, but manager Michael Carrick chose to keep him in reserve.

Carrick, however, sent a reassuring signal about Rashford's future. The boss revealed the forward has returned "in great spirits" and insisted he intends to keep him around because "he gives us something a bit different". Carrick instead gave game time to several academy prospects while resting his key players until after the hour mark.