Manchester United are set to play two extra pre-season friendlies following their FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City last weekend.
The Red Devils already have a busy calendar for the summer. They start their pre-season tour with a game against Leeds United in Oslo on July 12 before facing Lyon in Edinburgh seven days later.
The club will then embark on a trip to the United States where they are scheduled to face Arsenal, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. An academy side will take on Wrexham in San Diego on July 25.
United have yet to release their friendly schedule for August, but Manchester Evening News reveal that the club are set to play two additional games as they won’t be involved in the Community Shield.
After Sunday’s loss at the Wembley Stadium, Arsenal will be the ones to face Manchester City in the glorified friendly on August 6, just six days before the new Premier League campaign.
Hence, manager Erik ten Hag has added a couple of pre-season fixtures.
As per M.E.N, United are set to face a club (unknown) in Dublin on August 5 before hosting Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford on August 6. Ten Hag opted for a similar approach last summer.
The Dutch tactician picked his strongest side to face Atletico Madrid in Oslo before choosing a rotated squad against Rayo Vallecano at home. Fans will be hoping for vice-versa this time around.
Ten Hag is likely to prioritise early signings this summer, but there is currently uncertainty over the transfer budget amid the ongoing takeover saga. The Glazers are yet to make a decision.
The manager remains in the dark over the transfer funds available to him. Hopefully, there is more clarity in the coming weeks with the Red Devils boss aiming to pursue his preferred targets.
The Glazers have given the green light for a potential deal for Chelsea’s Mason Mount, but United need significant investment if they want to compete for the Premier League crown next term.
Aside from a creative midfielder, the Red Devils need a marquee striker, a world-class centre-back and a new goalkeeper, who can take over the gloves from the error-prone David de Gea.
