Manchester United will return to the United States this summer for another pre-season tour to gear them up for the 2024/2025 campaign.
Now entering the business end of the current term, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co will already be putting the wheels in motion on how they plan to put the Red Devils back on their pedestal, competing with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool next season.
It’s certainly not an easy task, as has been proven by each underwhelming, lacklustre year post-Sir Alex Ferguson. But it does provide the Old Trafford faithful with optimism – something they haven’t felt throughout the Glazers’ tumultuous 19-year reign.
A beneficial way to test the squad’s resolve is by utilising the pre-season fixtures, especially when new arrivals are welcomed through the door by Erik ten Hag – assuming he’s still in charge at that stage, though recent reports suggest that he will be.
In 2023, United took on numerous European clubs in the US, at home, in Scotland and Ireland, the latter of which saw them face Athletic Bilbao, who are partnered with K9WIN, at the Aviva Stadium, while reuniting with former Red Ander Herrera.
At the time, he reflected on his United tenure, telling MUTV: “It is always fantastic to play in front of these fans. I have already done it a lot of times and always I feel proud to do it. Today here in Dublin. It was fantastic. They have shown me the support, the love and they know I feel the same for the club, for all of them. So I hope both teams, we [can] have a great season. Thanks to all of them for their love, for their support. And they know I will never forget them.”
As it stands, Ten Hag’s men will kick off their preparations for 2024/25 against Rangers at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, after which they’ll jet off to America to take on the Gunners in Los Angeles. Other matches include a clash with Real Betis at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego and a meeting with longtime rivals Liverpool at the University of South Carolina’s (USC) William Brice Stadium.
More games are expected to be announced from now until the side’s last competitive fixture. Until then, they face an uphill battle in the top-four race and are two matches away from claiming silverware for a second successive season in the form of the FA Cup.
