Normal time in Manchester United’s pre-season friendly against Leeds at Dublin’s Croke Park on Wednesday ended in bizarre fashion when two young fans ran on to the pitch to take selfies with the club captain Bruno Fernandes.
When security did not immediately intervene, no fewer than three other pitch invaders joined in and play did not restart before referee Neil Doyle blew for full-time.
The match, the first game of association soccer at the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 2009, was played in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 80,000.
It ended 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes after Joshua Zirkzee gave United a 16th-minute lead before Leeds equalised just before the half-hour mark, with Brenden Aaronson scoring after good work from former United winger Daniel James.
Noussair Mazraoui scored the decisive spot-kick as Manchester United won 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out.
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Speaking after the game, United manager Michael Carrick said: “We were really dangerous in the first half and could’ve had a number of goals.
“We played some really good football.
“They came back into the game, and in the second half there were a few changes and it was important to get some minutes in some of our lads.
“The young lads did well, it was everything we expected of them. Winning the game is always nice.”
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