Tactical Breakdown: How Leeds United matched Manchester United in Dublin

The Whites were unable to maintain their perfect pre-season winning record, but there were plenty of tactical positives to take from a performance in which Leeds competed well, particularly during the opening half.

Farke again used his preferred back-three structure, although the personnel changed significantly at half-time. Leeds’ ability to maintain the same principles despite 10 substitutions was perhaps one of the most encouraging aspects of the evening.

One of the clearest themes was Leeds’ use of width to create opportunities.

With Jaden Bogle and Daniel James providing the width during the first half, Leeds looked to stretch Manchester United before attacking the spaces created between their defenders.

James was particularly effective.

The Welshman’s role was not simply to stay wide and deliver crosses. He repeatedly looked to receive possession, drive forward and attack United’s defensive line.

That was evident for Leeds’ equaliser.

James won possession before carrying the ball forward, beating several challenges and getting into the penalty area before cutting the ball back for Brenden Aaronson.

It was a move that highlighted exactly what Leeds can gain from having a direct runner capable of progressing the ball himself.

James also created another opportunity shortly before half-time when he broke down the left and cut inside, although his curling effort went over the crossbar.

The opposite side offered a different attacking mechanism.

Bogle was able to push forward from his role in the back three, particularly when Leeds had established possession in Manchester United's half.

This has become an increasingly familiar feature of Farke's system, with the outside centre-back given freedom to step forward and create an overload.

It was particularly interesting to see how this developed after the break when Joe Rodon came on.

Rodon produced a move almost identical to the one that helped Leeds score against RB Leipzig, driving forward from the right before delivering towards the centre.

Harry Wilson met the cross but could not beat the goalkeeper.

The move itself was encouraging, though, because it demonstrated that the attacking patterns Leeds have been developing in training are becoming repeatable rather than relying purely on individual moments.

Without the ball, Leeds generally maintained a compact structure.

Manchester United were able to create openings, particularly through Joshua Zirkzee and Bryan Mbeumo, but Leeds were rarely completely stretched for sustained periods.

The biggest danger came when United were able to move the ball quickly into the penalty area.

That ultimately led to Zirkzee's opener, with Mbeumo finding space before squaring for the striker to finish.

However, Leeds responded well rather than allowing the goal to derail their structure.

That response was important.

Against a side with United's attacking quality, maintaining composure after conceding is just as valuable during pre-season as the result itself.

James Trafford's first start for Leeds provided another interesting tactical element.

The new goalkeeper was involved immediately, receiving the ball from James following kick-off before looking to play forward towards Nmecha.

Rather than simply using Trafford as a traditional shot-stopper, Leeds were happy to involve him in their build-up.

That will be particularly important if Farke wants his side to play through pressure during the Premier League season.

Trafford also demonstrated the other side of his game with several strong saves.

His early stop from Zirkzee was particularly important, while he later denied Mbeumo with another low save.

It was an encouraging first appearance for the club-record signing.

Perhaps the most useful aspect of the game from Farke's perspective was the ability to make 10 changes without abandoning the team's tactical identity.

Only Bornauw remained from the first-half side, yet Leeds continued to use the same basic defensive structure and attacking principles.

Ampadu took the captain's armband, Rodon operated on the right, and Leeds continued to look for opportunities through their wide areas.

The combination of Rodon and Wilson nearly produced a second goal, while Gnonto's delivery also created danger for Calvert-Lewin.

That suggests the system is becoming increasingly important to Leeds regardless of which individuals occupy the positions.

There were still areas for Farke to work on.

Leeds occasionally struggled to maintain possession for long periods, particularly once United increased the pressure.

The Whites also need to become more efficient when they reach the final third.

There were promising moments from James, Wilson, Gnonto and Cresswell, but Leeds could have created more clear-cut opportunities from the amount of promising positions they reached.

That will become even more important once the Premier League season begins.

Against United, Leeds were able to compete and ultimately take the game to penalties. Against Nottingham Forest, however, the objective will be three points.

The penalty defeat will not change the overall assessment of Leeds' evening.

Farke will have seen another performance that demonstrated his team's growing understanding of the system, with width, aggressive movement and the freedom given to the outside centre-backs again central to their approach.

There is still work to do, particularly in possession and in the final third, but Leeds look increasingly comfortable operating within Farke's tactical framework.

The most important test is now approaching.

The next time Leeds face Premier League opposition, there will be points at stake.