"They are" - Michael Carrick's Leeds United praise in Whites changes verdict and Man Utd match assessment

Michael Carrick has delivered Leeds United praise in his Manchester United pre-season friendly verdict.

Carrick’s Red Devils took on Daniel Farke’s Whites at Croke Park in Dublin on Wednesday night as the bitter Roses rivals locked horns in a pre-season friendly.

Carrick’s men drew first blood as Joshua Zirkzee fired the Red Devils into a 16th-minute lead but Leeds levelled 13 minutes later through Brenden Aaronson.

With the game tied at one apiece, Whites boss Farke then made ten changes at the interval but Carrick served up praise for the Leeds squad in believing that the two XIs were as strong as each other.

The contest was eventually decided on a penalty shoot out which Manchester United won 5-4 but Carrick praised Leeds as a “good side” in his post-match assessment as he saluted a good work out for his players.

"I really enjoyed the whole night," said Carrick to Manchester United club media, as quoted by the club’s official website.

"It felt like a proper game. The fans, I have to say, have been incredible since we set foot over here.

"The atmosphere, with that many turning up supporting us – we're the lucky ones to be involved in that.

"The young boys did ever so well, each of them individually.

"It was a tough game as they are a good team.

"You can see the changes [Leeds] made, the two XIs, are virtually both as strong as each other.

"It was a good challenge for us and nice to win, of course. Lots of positives."