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Noussair Mazraoui converted the decisive penalty as Manchester United defeated Leeds United 5-4 in the shoot-out after their pre-season friendly at Dublin’s Croke Park ended 1-1.

There was an unusual moment when Bruno Fernandes failed from the spot before the contest went to sudden death, but after James Justin struck the crossbar with his attempt, Mazraoui made no mistake to seal it.

Joshua Zirkzee had put United ahead in the 16th minute after being set up by an impressive Bryan Mbeumo.

However, Leeds equalised with their first genuine opening just before the half-hour, with Brenden Aaronson finishing off excellent work from former United winger Daniel James.

Michael Carrick handed opportunities to a number of young players in Dublin.

Fernandes, introduced from the bench, rattled the crossbar late in the game, but the 90 minutes ended in strange circumstances when two young supporters ran onto the pitch to take selfies with the United captain.

As security did not step in immediately, at least three more fans followed, and play was not restarted before referee Neil Doyle brought the match to an end.

The fixture, the first association football match at the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 2009, was staged before a sold-out crowd of more than 80,000.

Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford were among those watching from the sidelines, not involved after only joining the training camp at the start of the week following the World Cup.

The game finished after a number of young fans entered the pitch.

Before kick-off, though, Michael Carrick said he was keeping the trio “in reserve” for Saturday’s friendly against former manager Ruben Amorim and AC Milan in Wroclaw, which could mark Rashford’s first appearance in a United shirt since December 2024.

Mbeumo dictated the first half. It was from his delivery that Zirkzee forced a sharp early save from Leeds’ record signing James Trafford.

The same combination then produced the opening goal. Mbeumo twisted away from Jaka Bijol just inside the United half and surged down the left, drawing Leeds newcomer Tarik Muharemovic out of position before sliding the ball through for an unmarked Zirkzee to finish first time.

Within two minutes of that goal, Mbeumo sent Diogo Dalot through, and only an important interception from Muharemovic stopped United from scoring a second. Soon after, Mbeumo created the next clear opening for himself.

He looked to pick out Patrick Dorgu, but when Sebastiaan Bornauw cut out the pass, Mbeumo’s low effort was pushed around the post by Trafford.

Leeds were level in the 29th minute. James attracted two defenders as he drove towards goal, then squared it for Aaronson to complete the move.

Mbeumo might have restored United’s lead before half-time, but his curling effort, which took a deflection as it looped over Trafford, struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced away.

After a wave of half-time substitutions, including a debut for United’s new 18-year-old winger Tynan Thompson, Leeds should have moved in front six minutes into the second half when Joe Rodon’s low cross reached Harry Wilson, but the summer signing shot straight at Senne Lammens.

Fernandes was one of six United players introduced on the hour mark and, after seeing one effort disallowed for offside, he struck the crossbar with a curling shot five minutes from time before the match went to penalties.