Manchester United are set to face Derby County this summer as part of their pre-season preparations. The club announced their plans for a domestic pre-season on Tuesday evening, as opposed to recent years when tours of Asia and America are common.
The plans for a pre-season closer to home are largely down to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the decision has allowed Wayne Rooney to come up against his former club as a manager for the first time.
Wayne Rooney, who spent 13 years at the club and is Manchester United’s leading goalscorer, took over Derby halfway through last season and despite a tough end to the season, managed to stay in the Championship on the final day.
“I’m really pleased with our pre-season plans ahead of the new season,” Rooney is quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News.
“The game against United, a club I have a long and proud affiliation and history with, at Pride Park Stadium is a mouthwatering prospect and an excellent opportunity for us to test ourselves against one of the best teams in both England and Europe.”
The match-up against Rooney’s Derby will be the first game of the summer, on July 18, but several first-team regulars are expected to miss the game due to their involvement in summer tournaments.
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