How Stockholm warmed up for United v Leeds
Manchester United fans are beginning to assemble in Stockholm ahead of the team's pre-season opener in the city this Saturday afternoon (14:00 BST kick-off).
Ruben Amorim's Reds will face old foes Leeds United - a game subscribers can watch live on MUTV - and it would be fair to say that anticipation is revving up in the Swedish capital.
Around 200 fans attended a special pre-match event put on locally by our Scandinavian Supporters' Club on Friday evening, providing the perfect warm-up to today's action.
Reds from Sweden, Norway, Manchester and beyond gathered at the American-themed O`Learys Hotorget restaurant in the city, for what was the latest edition of a developing tradition that offers fans the opportunity to connect the night before pre-season fixtures in Scandinavia, organised by our largest supporters' club outside the UK.
A similar event was hosted in Oslo before our last pre-season meeting with Leeds in 2023, and the schedule this time around included a special guest appearance from two of our 1999 Scandinavian Treble winners - Sweden's Jesper Blomqvist and Norway's Ronny Johnsen.
The pair enjoyed answering questions during a much-anticipated Q&A session and quiz, before signing autographs and posing for pictures with the assembled supporters.
On top of that, there was live music from United fan Ryan Jarvis, a live podcast and a fan quiz, along with the opportunity to mingle with fellow Reds while having some food and drink.
There was a brilliant atmosphere in and around the venue from start to finish, where Blomqvist and Johnsen were looking forward to our clash with Leeds.
"It's great to be here in Stockholm and see the game tomorrow," said Johnsen. "Looking forward to it!"
"So excited," Blomqvist added. "First game of the new season!"