Manchester United have announced the first two games of their pre-season schedule, facing old rivals Arsenal and Liverpool in the United States after agreeing lucrative commercial deals
Manchester United will face Liverpool and Arsenal in pre-season friendlies in the United States this summer.
Erik Ten Hag’s side will face the Gunners at SoFi Stadium, home of NFL franchises the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, on July 27 before heading all he way to the East Coast to South Carolina where they will face bitter rivals Liverpool on August 3. The clash with the Reds will take place at William Brice Stadium in Columbia, the home of the University of South Carolina.
United spent the majority of pre-season last summer in the US, defeating Arsenal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey before games with Wrexham, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
Ticket sales for both games start next week, with pre-sale taking place on February 26 before general sale opens the following day.
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“We had an incredible time during last year’s visit to the US and we are pleased to be returning with the men’s team to prepare for the 2024/25 season,” United’s football director John Murtough said. “The popularity of English football is continuously growing in the US, and we’ve come to expect passionate and enthusiastic support from our US fan base.
“They didn’t disappoint last year and everyone at the club is looking forward to reconnecting with those fans again this summer.”
United have booked strong pre-season schedules in recent seasons, not only due to lucrative commercial opportunities but also to guarantee good preparation heading into the Premier League campaign, and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are sure to provide a stern test in Los Angeles as United rebuild in their first transfer window under the part-ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
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The Liverpool game will give United a first look at their old rivals in the post-Jurgen Klopp era, with a new manager set to be at the helm when the teams meet in August. Former Anfield star Xabi Alonso is the early favourite to replace Klopp after the German announced his shock decision to walk away at the end of the season last month.
Murtough added: “Having secured some of the best sporting facilities the US has to offer, the club will create the optimum environment for the team to reconnect after their summer break, and work on match fitness before the start of the Premier League season.
“The quality of opponents lined up to play is at the highest level, giving the players an opportunity to gain valuable playing time, and for fans to see some of the most famous teams in world football playing live.
“As is the club’s tradition during pre-season, we’re expecting this tour to not only help prepare our first-team players but also give some of our exciting up-and-coming academy talent the opportunity to experience training and playing within a first-team environment at some of the most impressive and historical US stadiums.”
