Rarely is the word ‘friendly’ used when Manchester United and Leeds face off against each other.

Whatever you have filled your day with, perhaps this game will eclipse it.

A sold-out Croke Park was the venue that hosted this highly anticipated contest.

It did not take United long to purr. Joshua Zirkzee finished off a blistering counterattack, one in which they attacked with fearless adventure - synonymous with the Red Arrows.

Leeds responded through Brenden Aaronson, who found the equaliser to bring his side back into the contest.

For the majority of pre-season, Bryan Mbeumo has been used through the middle. Michael Carrick has given the forward the freedom to interchange across the forward line.

Mbeumo is not restricted to one position. The Cameroon international looked comfortable starting from the right, using his pace to stretch Leeds and giving United a natural threat in the wide areas. He was able to stay wide when United needed to create space centrally, but also had the freedom to drift inside when the opportunity presented itself.

That flexibility could become increasingly important for Carrick. United have several players capable of operating in the attacking positions, and being able to move Mbeumo between the wing and the centre gives the manager another way of changing the team’s shape, allowing for more fluidity.

Mbeumo’s ability to play both roles may ultimately be one of his biggest strengths. While his performances through the middle during pre-season have shown he can offer something different as a forward, his display on the wing against Leeds demonstrated that Carrick has another option — and one that could make Mbeumo even more difficult for Premier League defenders to handle.

There are already clear signs of what Michael Carrick wants his United side to look like.

There is a relentless intensity without the ball, and when they have it, they look to starve teams of possession.

The most encouraging part is that it does not feel rehearsed to the point of being robotic. There is freedom in the movement, with players seemingly encouraged to read the situation and make their own decisions. If Carrick can turn that fluidity into consistency, United could be a very different proposition this season.

Ayden Heaven is no longer a youngster simply waiting for his chance.

The 19-year-old has already made 21 Premier League appearances for Manchester United, including 17 last season, and has established himself as a genuine first-team option. Tonight only strengthened that case.

With Harry Maguire rested and Lisandro Martinez still working his way back to full fitness, Heaven started alongside Leny Yoro in the heart of United’s defence. There was no senior centre-back alongside him to provide that experience or cover — yet Heaven looked completely comfortable.

He was composed in possession, confident when stepping out from the back and rarely looked troubled when Leeds tried to put United under pressure. More importantly, he looked like he trusted his own ability.

That is perhaps the biggest difference from when Heaven first broke into the team. He is not playing like a youngster hoping to impress anymore. He is playing like a first-team defender who expects to be there.

With the Premier League opener against Hull City now less than two weeks away, Carrick has decisions to make in central defence. Heaven has given him another very good reason to consider him.

There will be tougher tests than this, of course. But if tonight was an audition for a starting place, Heaven did little to suggest he is not ready.

It has been a whirlwind few weeks for Tynan Thompson.

The 18-year-old only joined Manchester United from Tottenham last month, but he has already made his first-team debut for his new club, coming off the bench against Leeds.

It is not difficult to understand why United were so keen to bring him to Old Trafford. Thompson arrives with a serious reputation, having scored 13 goals and provided six assists across Tottenham’s Under-18 and Under-21 sides last season. Seven of those goals came in just seven UEFA Youth League appearances.

There is obviously a huge difference between doing that at academy level and producing in front of a sold-out Croke Park, but this was an important first step. Thompson has barely had time to settle into Manchester, yet Carrick has already trusted him enough to give him minutes with the first team.

For a player who was playing youth football only weeks ago, seeing him walk onto the pitch in a Manchester United shirt is quite some progression. The hard work starts now, but Thompson has taken his first step.

Youri Tielemans has only been at Manchester United for a matter of weeks, but there is already a reason for Bruno Fernandes to be excited about playing alongside him.

Tielemans showed against Leeds that he is comfortable taking responsibility for the ball. He wants to receive it, get his head up and move United forward, rather than simply playing the safe pass.

That could take some pressure off Fernandes.

For so long, United have relied heavily on their captain to create something from nothing. Tielemans gives Carrick another player capable of controlling the game from midfield, which could allow Fernandes to spend more time in the areas where he is most dangerous.

The Belgian’s ability to find a pass between the lines should also suit Fernandes’ movement. If Tielemans can consistently find him in those pockets, United suddenly have two players capable of seeing passes that others might not.

It is still very early, and Tielemans has only just begun his United career. But the idea of Fernandes having a midfielder beside him who can dictate the tempo, progress the ball and pick out those passes is an exciting one.

Fernandes has carried a lot of the creative responsibility at United. Tielemans could finally give him someone to share it with.