Manchester United’s preseason schedule is out, and it’s got a little bit of everything. The Red Devils start their summer buildup this weekend in Helsinki against Wrexham, the ambitious League One side backed by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. That’s the headliner for the opening week, and it’s not the only oddball fixture on the docket.
This is Michael Carrick’s first full season as permanent manager after he took over as caretaker last year and turned things around. United finished third in the Premier League, which got them back into the Champions League. So the club is feeling good, but there’s work to do before the real games start.
The preseason slate runs from July 18 through early August. After Wrexham, they head to Norway to face Rosenborg on July 24. Then things ramp up: Atletico Madrid on July 27, PSG on July 30, Leeds United on August 3, and AC Milan on August 6. That’s six matches in about three weeks. Carrick will probably rotate heavily, but fans will get a look at how he wants this team to play.
The Leeds game is a legit historic deal
That August 3 match against Leeds is being played at Croke Park in Dublin. That’s Ireland’s biggest stadium, and it’s the first time any club football game has ever been held there. Usually it’s for Gaelic games or the occasional rugby match. So that’s a real milestone, and you can bet both sets of fans will travel for it.
United open their Premier League season on August 22 against Hull City. That’s a winnable home game, but Hull won’t roll over. They’ve spent money and they’re aggressive in the transfer market. Still, United should be heavy favorites.
One thing worth watching: how Carrick handles the minutes. He’s got a deeper squad now, but preseason is always tricky. Some guys are coming back from summer tournaments, some are fighting for spots. The PSG and Atletico games will be the best tests. Those are Champions League-caliber opponents playing at full intensity, even in July.
Also worth noting: no summer tour in Asia or the U.S. this time. United are staying in Europe. That’s probably a deliberate choice. Shorter travel, less jet lag, more time on the training ground. Smart move for a manager still establishing his system.
Leave a Comment