Manchester United continued their preparations for the 2019-20 campaign with a 4-0 win over English rivals Leeds United at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Wednesday.
Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford registered in the first period, before Phil Jones and Anthony Martial struck in the second during an impressive 90 minutes for the Red Devils.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's live text updates of the action below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the pre-season clash between Manchester United and Leeds United from the Optus Stadium in Perth. The Red Devils opened their preparations for the 2019-20 campaign with a 2-0 win over Perth Glory on Saturday, while Leeds have beaten York City and Guiseley in their two pre-season matches thus far. Stay tuned for what should be a very interesting game between the two English rivals!
TEAMS!
MAN UNITED: Romero; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Bailly, Rojo; McTominay, Pogba; Greenwood, Mata, James; Rashford
LEEDS: Casilla; Dallas, Cooper, Berardi, Douglas; Phillips, Forshaw, Harrison; Hernandez, Bamford, Roofe
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made nine changes to the team that started against Perth Glory at the weekend, with only Sergio Romero and Daniel James keeping their spots in the side. Paul Pogba is amongst those to come into the XI, but there is no Romelu Lukaku as the speculation surrounding the centre-forward's future continues to gather pace - United have claimed that the Belgian has suffered a knock, though, joining an unwell David de Gea on the sidelines. This match will also see Aaron Wan-Bissaka make his full debut for the 20-time English champions.
As for Leeds, head coach Marcelo Bielsa has only selected a 16-man squad for the team's two matches in Australia. It is still a strong XI, though, with Patrick Bamford, Kemar Roofe and Pablo Hernandez featuring in the final third. Kalvin Phillips and Adam Forshaw also start, as does Jack Harrison, who has returned to the Whites on loan from Manchester City. It looks to be a 4-3-3 for the Championship outfit, although it remains to be seen if that is the case.
These two teams have locked horns on 109 times throughout history, with United leading the head-to-head 47 wins to Leeds's 27, with the remaining 35 matches finishing level. Kickoff will be a touch late here as the players are not yet on the field - the pre-match show is still going on!
It must be said that there is a brilliant atmosphere inside the Optus Stadium in Perth, which is a wonderful facility. The two sets of players have now emerged from the tunnel, with Juan Mata wearing the armband for United while Leeds are led by central defender Liam Cooper.
It will be very, very interesting to see how Pogba plays in this match. The Frenchman was a second-half substitute against Perth Glory at the weekend, but is now in the starting XI. The pre-match show is still going on here, meaning that kickoff will be delayed by another five minutes or so.
Both of United's summer signings start here and Daniel James will be looking to build on his impressive performance against Perth Glory. Wan-Bissaka, meanwhile, is in at right-back.
Here we go then - the pre-match show is finished and the two sets of players have just exchanged handshakes. Leeds have played one game more than United, but the Whites have only brought 16 players to Australia, which is somewhat of a surprise - could play a big part.
We are just about ready for kickoff in Western Australia. It will be very interesting to see what type of pace is adopted in the early stages. Will there be any tasty tackles? These two teams do not like each other, there is no question about that. Right, kickoff is seconds away now...
KICKOFF: Leeds kick things off in this pre-season clash...
... as expected, Leeds look to be in a 4-3-3 with Pablo Hernandez operating in midfield and Roofe and Harrison either side of Bamford through the middle. United are in a 4-2-3-1, meanwhile, with James, Mata and Greenwood behind the lone forward Marcus Rashford.
OFF THE POST! Oh my word! United almost make the early breakthrough as Rashford finds space inside the Leeds box after a fine run from Lindelof before striking towards goal, but his effort hits the post! The Premier League side have made a really fast start to this match.
All United at the moment with Leeds struggling to get hold of the ball. Mata is playing in the number 10 and is running the match as he continues to switch it across the front line.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Leeds have not managed to gain control of the ball in the opening six minutes. It has been all United, who look seriously in the mood here.
GOAL! MAN UNITED 1-0 LEEDS (GREENWOOD)
GOAL! Breakthrough! United take the lead in the seventh minute as a wonderful pass from Pogba frees Wan-Bissaka, who delivers low into Greenwood and the youngster cannot miss. It was a fine move and there have been some very encouraging signs in the early minutes here.
Bamford breaks beyond the United defence, but the offside flag is raised and Leeds see a promising attack cut short. The pace of the match early on is absolutely excellent.
The match has settled a touch in the last couple of minutes, but Leeds are still struggling to get hold of the ball with Pogba, McTominay and Mata winning the midfield battle here.
There will be a completely new United XI in the second period, but the maximum number of changes for Leeds will be five as the Whites have only travelled with 16 players. Fatigue will surely be an issue as the match develops and that decision from Bielsa has been criticised.
Pogba is standing over a free kick outside the Leeds box...
CLOSE! ... Pogba's free kick from distance only just misses the post. Casilla dived across his goal in an attempt to make contact, but the ball just angles wide of the goal!
SAVE! Casilla now has to keep out a powerful drive from Pogba from a wide angle.
Pogba does not appear to be a player sulking, having played a key role in the opening goal in addition to having a couple of chances of his own. Still all one-way traffic in Perth.
United will fly to Singapore tomorrow ahead of their pre-season clash with Inter Milan at the weekend. Solskjaer's side will be full of confidence if they manage to put another win on the board here and that seems likely as Leeds are struggling to keep up with the pace.
SHOT! Leeds's first shot sees Hernandez fire well over Romero's crossbar from distance.
Pogba plays a wonderful through ball towards Rashford, but Casilla is out to clear. Leeds break down the other end and Harrison picks out a dangerous cross, only for Bailly to slide across to make the challenge. End-to-end football in the last couple of minutes here.
SHOT! Harrison hits the side-netting for Leeds after breaking into the United box. Better from the Whites, who have just started to have some joy down the left through Harrison.
United have had a real issue finding a reliable right winger in recent seasons, but it does appear that Greenwood could be the answer. The youngster has been a huge threat during United's two pre-season matches thus far and of course made the breakthrough in this game.
SHOT! More of an even game at the moment as Leeds start to use the ball, but United continue to look the more threatening. Pogba has just sent another effort just wide of the post.
SAVE! Romero drops down to keep out an effort from Hernandez after a smart run from the experienced Spaniard. Not too sure about the defending from United there!
SAVE! Super save from Romero this time to keep out a point-blank attempt from Bamford, who had met a low cross from Harrison. Excellent goalkeeping from United's number two!
GOAL! GOAL! MAN UNITED 2-0 LEEDS (RASHFORD)
GOAL! United double their lead in the 27th minute as a quick breakaway sees McTominay feed Rashford, who shows a wonderful piece of skill inside the Leeds box before brilliantly picking out the bottom corner of the net. Not sure where the Leeds defence was in that move!
United do look very, very dangerous on the break with the pace of James, Greenwood and Rashford, which is definitely something that Solskjaer is working on during pre-season.
Rojo does well to meet a long pass before delivering towards Rashford, but Cooper manages to chest the ball down towards Casilla, who releases Douglas out wide. Little under 15 minutes of the second period remaining and the tempo is still extremely high here.
CLOSE! Hernandez sees a low strike deflected wide of the United post as the Spaniard continues to carry the fight for Leeds, who are finding opportunities on the counter-attack here.
Wan-Bissaka makes a couple of excellent challenges in quick succession, which the United fans inside the stadium absolutely love. There is not really any possession football at the moment here, rather both teams trying to get forward as soon as possible.
Neither Lee Grant or David de Gea are available for United tonight, meaning that Joel Pereira will be the goalkeeper in the second period. As mentioned, Solskjaer will change his entire team at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of pre-season.
YELLOW CARD! Phillips (Leeds) is booked for a poor challenge on Mata.
Mata wants a free kick just outside the Leeds box as Phillips steps across the Spaniard, but the referee is not interested. The breakaway allows the Whites to create some danger, but Douglas's effort is deflected for a corner. Still 2-0 to United with 38 minutes on the clock.
SAVE! Comfortable save for Romero to keep out a header from Roofe, who had found some space at the far post. Leeds will feel that they should be on the scoresheet in the first period.
SAVE! Good save from Casilla this time to push a low Rashford attempt away from the goal. Rashford has been incredibly dangerous drifting out to the left from the centre-forward role.
Pogba has been absolutely everywhere in this first period - he certainly does not look like a player who does not want to play for the club. That said, Solskjaer has always claimed that he could never criticise the midfielder's application, but he has said that he wants to leave.
The tempo has just dropped a touch as we approach the end of the first period. Leeds might have conceded twice, but the Whites have had a number of chances to register here.
OFF THE POST! Post again! A wonderful move from United sees Rashford holds the ball up before feeding James, but the attacker's low strike catches the outside of the post! Some pace!
Bailly does not look entirely happy here as he limps off the field - the centre-back will be replaced at the interval anyway and it seems unlikely that a risk will be taken at this stage.
Just the one additional minute at the end of the first period.
HALF TIME: MAN UNITED 2-0 LEEDS
So there we have it - the referee brings the first period at the Optus Stadium to a close with United leading Leeds 2-0 in Perth courtesy of goals from Greenwood and Rashford.
Greenwood made the breakthrough in the seventh minute by finishing a low cross from Wan-Bissaka, before Rashford's excellent finish doubled United's advantage 20 minutes later.
Leeds have certainly had their moments in the final third of the field, but a mixture of some poor finishing and smart goalkeeping from Romero sees United lead 2-0 at this stage.
Greenwood, Rashford and James have been incredibly dangerous as a front three for the Red Devils, while Mata has thrived in the number 10 position. Pogba has also had a very impressive first half of action despite the speculation surrounding his future at the club.
BENCH WATCH! Leeds only have five substitutes for this match having only brought 16 players to Australia. Bogusz, Hosannah, Miazek, Odour and Stevens are those available and all five are expected to be given a taste of the action at the Optus Stadium here.
United, meanwhile, will change their entire XI at the interval, meaning that the likes of Dalot, Jones, Martial, Lingard, Matic and Smalling should be seen. The first-half XI did very well!
Just a reminder that United will travel to Singapore tomorrow ahead of their next pre-season clash against Inter Milan this weekend. Their preparations are really kicking on now.
The players are already heading back onto the field and as expected, United have a new XI. Martial, Andreas Pereira, Joel Pereira and Smalling are all there - the rest to follow.
No sign of any Leeds changes for the moment, but the Whites are not yet back on the field. The second half at the Optus Stadium in Perth will get underway in the next few moments.
MANCHESTER UNITED SECOND-HALF XI: J Pereira; Dalot, Smalling, Jones, Young; Matic, Pereira; Chong, Gomes, Lingard; Martial
KICKOFF: United resume the action in Perth...
... so, the United changes have been confirmed. It does not appear that Leeds have made any of their permitted five changes, which is somewhat of a surprise. Right, game on here.
Martial is very much through the middle for United here, with Gomes, Lingard and Chong providing the support from a deeper position. Not too much to report in the early stages of the second period, but the team in red have once again been in control of the possession.
Andreas Pereira quickens the pace to find Martial with a fine pass - the Frenchman's first touch is poor, though, and Cooper is on hand to make the clearance. Still 2-0 United here.
SHOT! Harrison fires just wide of the United post after finding space inside the box - should have done better from that position, but Leeds will be encouraged again.
SHOT! Andreas Pereira sees a powerful strike just tipped over the Leeds crossbar by Casilla - wonderful strike from the midfielder and a top save from Spanish goalkeeper!
GOAL! MAN UNITED 3-0 LEEDS (JONES)
GOAL! United have their third of the match as Jones rises highest inside the Leeds box to head a brilliant Andreas Pereira corner into the back of the net. Not sure about the defending!
Leeds could do with some fresh legs here and it will be very interesting to see when Bielsa decides to make alterations - just a reminder that the Whites only have five subs here.
Andreas Pereira delivers a dangerous cross into Martial and the Frenchman looks favourite to meet it, but Phillips just about manages to deal with it under pressure from his own goalkeeper.
More pressure from United as Chong breaks into a wide position before flashing a cross towards the far post, but there are no takers inside the box. Lingard then has a shot deflected wide for a corner moments later as Leeds continue to come under pressure here.
SHOT! Poor effort from Harrison as the Leeds attacker scoops the ball harmlessly over the crossbar from a dangerous position after smart work from Dallas in a wide area.
Still no sign of any Leeds changes here, but we are entering the stage of the match where Bielsa must be thinking about freshening it up. It will also be interesting to see whether Solskjaer decides to use James Garner or Axel Tuanzebe in the second period here.
CLOSE! Smart skill from Gomes inside the Leeds box, but the youngster can only place his effort wide of the post. Smart feet from the pint-size attacker in a very dangerous position.
United have a free kick in a dangerous area as Dallas fouls Martial...
... LEEDS SUB! Leeds make their first change as Bogusz replaces Bamford.
Dallas is still down for Leeds, with the defender taking an arm in the face from Martial while committing the challenge. United are yet to take the free kick which Martial won out wide.
Andreas Pereira eventually delivers a dangerous free kick into the Leeds box, but Cooper is on hand to make the clearance. Still 3-0 with little over 25 minutes of normal time left here.
LEEDS SUB! Hosannah replaces Dallas in Leeds's second change.
Lingard attempts to fashion something from a central position, but Cooper steps across to make the challenge. Roofe then collects the ball in a dangerous area down the other end, only for the offside flag to go up. No chances to report in the last few minutes here.
PENALTY! United have a penalty as Chong is chopped down in the box by Cooper. It was wonderful feet from the United youngster, who had combined with Gomes in a dangerous position.
GOAL! MAN UNITED 4-0 LEEDS (MARTIAL, PEN)
GOAL! Martial slots his ball into the bottom corner to make it 4-0 to United.
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals here as there are some very tired Leeds legs running around. United, on the other hand, are very fresh at the moment.
Harrison finds Douglas inside the United box and the Scot delivers towards Roofe, but the ball had just gone behind for a goal kick. Still more than 15 minutes of football to play here.
Leeds are preparing to make their third change of the match during a very open period where both teams are committing numbers in the final third of the field. All-action here.
LEEDS SUB! Stevens replaces Hernandez in Leeds's third change.
MAN UNITED SUB! James Garner replaces Matic for the Red Devils.
Little over 10 minutes of the second period remaining and United lead 4-0 courtesy of goals from Greenwood, Rashford, Jones and Martial. It has been an impressive performance from the Red Devils, who will leave Australia tomorrow to fly to Shanghai to face Inter Milan.
Stevens shows good pace for Leeds to break past Young and deliver a cross towards Roofe, but Jones is on hand to make the clearance. Surely there is another goal left in this game.
Possession football from United at the moment as they keep the ball away from Leeds, who can still make two changes in the latter stages if they wish. Still 4-0 to the Red Devils.
CLOSE! Lingard just sends his effort wide of the post following another smart United move involving Garner, who got his name on the scoresheet against Perth Glory last time out.
Jones barges his way into the Leeds box, but Phillips is across to make a good challenge. Leeds then break down the other end through Forshaw, only for Smalling to clear.
SHOT! Bogusz scoops one over the United crossbar from a dangerous area.
Leeds will feel that their performance in Perth deserves a goal, but a mixture of poor finishing and some smart goalkeeping means that United have a clean sheet heading into the final seconds. Young has just gone down for the Red Devils, but there are no real concerns.
We are into the first of three additional minutes here.
Not an awful lot to report in the last couple of minutes as United appear to have declared at four, which will represent a very impressive 90 minutes of work. Leeds were always likely to find it tough tonight and can take encouragement from some aspects of their performance.
YELLOW CARD! Young (United) is booked for a foul on Forshaw.
FULL TIME: MAN UNITED 4-0 LEEDS
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Man United continuing their preparations for the 2019-20 campaign with a 4-0 win over Leeds.
Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford registered in the first period, before Phil Jones and Anthony Martial struck in the second during an impressive 90 minutes for the Red Devils.
Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live pre-season coverage once again. I shall leave you with the match report for this match. Until next time!
