Manchester United change pre-season plans after FA Cup final loss and find the dates they will play against big clubs

Manchester United change pre-season plans after FA Cup final loss and find the dates they will play against big clubs

In the final weekend before the new Premier League season, Man Utd will face a double-headed pre-season game.
Manchester United will play two friendlies in two days on the final weekend of their pre-season.

Erik ten Hag wanted to organize two friendlies for the weekend before United’s first game of the new Premier League season to ensure that as many players as possible are ready for the new season.

According to the Manchester Evening News, United will face a side in Dublin on August 5 before taking on Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford on August 6.
If United had won the FA Cup final, they would have been in the Community Shield on August 6, but that match is now between Manchester City and Premier League runners-up Arsenal, leaving United on the eve of the FA final. Cup two more. friendly matches can plan a new season. It is the second year in a row that United have completed their summer schedule with two first-team games in one weekend.

Last year, United played their strongest side against Atlético Madrid in Oslo on the Saturday before the start of the season and used a rotating squad against Rayo Vallecano the following day.

United’s pre-season tour of the United States is set to take on Arsenal in New York on July 22, Real Madrid in Houston on July 26 and Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas on July 30. An academy team will face Wrexham on July 25 in San Diego.
Before the start of the American tour, United meet Leeds in Oslo on July 12 and Lyon in Edinburgh on July 19.

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Manchester United star Raphael Varane sends heartfelt message to Karim Benzema on Real Madrid departure

The United defender played ten years with Benzema in Spain

Raphael Varane has called Karim Benzema a “legend” after it was announced the striker would leave Real Madrid this summer.

The Manchester United defender played ten seasons alongside the Blancos icon between 2011 and 2021 before moving to Old Trafford. The pair have also represented France together on the international scene.

Benzema leaves the Bernabeu after 14 years with 354 goals in 648 games and has won five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles and three Copa Del Reys along with a plethora of trophies. He was also the winner of the Balon d’Or last year. Raphael Varane paid tribute to former teammate Benzema on Instagram.

He wrote: “Goals, memories, trophies and respect. One word above all… Legend. Good luck on your next chapter, frérot [iron] @karimbenzema.”

Following Benzema’s departure, Madrid are now linked with United’s main target, Harry Kane. United are currently exploring other options for the striker after Tottenham revealed their stubbornness about a sale. Meanwhile, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted he was surprised by Benzema’s decision.

“It was a last minute decision,” said the Italian. “Yesterday he trained normally and today he made this decision. I spoke to him this morning and he said he was leaving and I understood that. He has done very well in these four years with me and also in the club.” Thanks for that.”

In April last year, Sir Alex Ferguson revealed United tried to sign Benzema with the money he received for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009 before the Frenchman decided to join the Portuguese star in Madrid.

He said: “We tried to spend money on Karim Benzema because at 21 I felt there would be an improvement there. He’s tough, has a good physique and a good goalscoring record, so it was worth putting a bit more effort into 

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Manchester United is faced with three problems if solved their possible 25-man squad next season could look like this

Man Utd will be looking to overhaul their squad in the summer transfer window with a number of key additions.

United need to build on the foundations that have been laid, and that includes supporting their manager over the summer term as he looks to complete the next phase of his squad overhaul.

The FA Cup Final defeat to Man City reminded us of how big of a job it will be, and in particular highlighted the three biggest issues that ideally need to be addressed in the coming months.
United’s priority is to add an elite striker to their squad this summer, seen as one who could have the most transformative impact on the squad. Ten Hag has already held several video calls with Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund, who would be a feasible target as United believe Tottenham won’t sell Harry Kane.

The United manager is also keen to add a young midfielder to his squad this summer and personal terms have already been agreed with Mason Mount over a potential transfer.
Mount officials have reportedly held advanced discussions with United, but there is still no agreement between the clubs over the fee.
Demand is also growing for the signing of a new goalkeeper this summer following David de Gea’s poor performance in the FA Cup final defeat.

The 32-year-old has been offered a new low-wage contract at Old Trafford but Ten Hag has warned he is not guaranteed to be first-choice next season. Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa is seen by many as an ideal match for United’s needs, but has already signaled his intention to stay at the Portuguese club next season.

United also have an interest in adding a new central defender to the squad if possible, although it is not so necessary given the options they already have in defence.
Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw have both proved their worth as back-up options in central defence, and the club would likely need to sell captain Harry Maguire before approving deals in that area.

Ten Hag could bolster their senior options by bringing in Amad and Alvaro Fernandez on loan following their successful spells in the league, although interest in their services is strong again this summer.

Pic from Manchester Evening News

United’s possible 25-man squad for next season:

Costa, De Gea, Heaton; Dalot, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Martinez, Fernandez, Shaw, Malacia; Casemiro, Eriksen, Fred, Mount, Mainoo, Fernandes, Van de Beek; Antonio, Amad, Sancho, Rashford, Garnacho, Martial, Hojlund.

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Ex-manchester United player reveals four players might leave Old Trafford at the end of the season

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes there will be at least four departures from the club in the coming weeks.

Scott McTominay has been linked with moves to Newcastle and West Ham and Ferdinand believes the Scotland international could look to leave the Red Devils for more first-team football:

Rio Ferdinand names four Manchester United players expected to leave Old Trafford this season

“Scott McTominay hasn’t played much football, not as much as he would like. If I were him as a young player I would probably start to assess the situation and have serious talks with the club [ask] : do you see me as part of it or not? Being so low in the pecking order I would start looking and I don’t think he will have a hard time finding a club. It’s a really good footballer and he can add a lot of value.”

Manager Erik ten Hag has already indicated he won’t oppose captain Harry Maguire’s departure and Ferdinand said the England international is likely to look for a move elsewhere:

“Harry Maguire has to think of a new option. Unless he says he likes being third or fourth choice.

Ferdinand also claimed that Anthony Elanga and Anthony Martial could leave if United receive good offers for them. Ten Hag would like to renew United’s selection

Several reports have suggested United may only have around £100m to spend due to financial fairplay rules, so player sales will be key to supplementing the transfer budget.
Maguire and McTominay in particular could bring in decent sums, while Elanga reportedly has plenty of clubs courting to sign him.

However, getting good pay for Martial may be more difficult due to his poor injury record, while it may be difficult to fire fringe players, such as Eric Bailly, Alex Telles, Donny van de Beek and Brandon Williams.