How Real Madrid are shaping up

The Reds take on Carlo Ancelotti's side in the early hours of Thursday morning UK time (01:30 BST) at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, in a game you can watch live on MUTV.

Of course, it's an opportunity for Reds duo Casemiro and Raphael Varane to come up against their former club for the first time.

Ahead of the eagerly anticipated Stateside clash, catch up on the latest from our opponents' camp…

WHO HAVE THEY SIGNED?

It’s already been a busy summer at the Santiago Bernabeu, with a number of new faces arriving.

Their biggest signing to date has been the capture of midfielder Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund on a six-year deal, for a reported £88.5 million plus add-ons.

The England international, who started his professional career at Birmingham City, had been touted by a number of top clubs after an exceptional three seasons in Germany and an impressive World Cup in Qatar last year. He has taken the no.5 shirt at Real, previously worn by club legend Zinedine Zidane.

Also with an eye on the future, teenage Turkish midfielder Arda Guler has been snapped up from Fenerbahce.

Elsewhere, Spanish left-back Fran Garcia has returned to the club he left two years ago, following an impressive stint at Rayo Vallecano, with Real triggering his buy-back clause. Fellow countryman Joselu, who will be familiar to United fans from his spells at Stoke City and Newcastle United, has joined the club on loan from Espanyol as an option in attack.

Another player who will be recognised from his time in England is attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz, who left Manchester City to join Real Madrid in 2021.

The exciting Spaniard, who has spent the last three campaigns at AC Milan, is one of five players to return to the club following loan spells elsewhere - the others being Sergio Santos, Antonio Blanco, Reinier and Marvin Park.

Diaz is also among a quintet of first-team stars to sign contract extensions this summer - along with Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Nacho and Dani Ceballos.

WHO HAS LEFT?

A close season of change in the Spanish capital has also seen some key players leave the club.

The most notable departure was that of Karim Benzema, who had become a legend during his 14 seasons with Real.

The 35-year-old is the club’s second highest all-time goalscorer with 238 goals in 439 appearances. His 24 trophies include four La Liga titles and five Champions League triumphs, as well as a number of personal honours including the Ballon d’Or in 2022. The France striker is one of a number of high-profile players to make the move to Saudi Arabia, after pitching up at reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad, now managed by former Wolves and Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

Meanwhile, Spain winger Marco Asensio ended his nine-year association with the club to join French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Former Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard has been released after a disappointing injury-ravaged four-year spell for the Belgian.

Forward Mariano Diaz has also left the club, while Spanish duo Juanmi Latasa and Jesus Vallejo have been loaned out to Getafe and Granada respectively.

WHO HAVE THEY PLAYED SO FAR?

Real have made the trip Stateside to participate in the pre-season Soccer Champions Tour.

Their first and only pre-season outing so far came on Sunday, when they ran out 3-2 winners against AC Milan in front of 70,000 fans at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Former Chelsea and Everton boss Ancelotti opted for a new 4-4-2 formation with a midfield diamond, with 20-year-old Bellingham playing behind Brahim Diaz and Joselu and catching the eye in the 62 minutes he played.

This is how Real Madrid lined up from the start: Andriy Lunin; Lucas Vazquez, Eder Militao, Nacho, Ferland Mendy; Toni Kroos; Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga; Jude Bellingham; Brahim Diaz, Joselu.

Goals from former Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori and Luka Romero had their Italian opponents 2-0 up at the break before a rousing second-half comeback from Los Blancos.

Valverde scored twice in the space of two minutes just before the hour mark to level matters. It was then left to Brazilian star Vinicius Junior to win the game, latching on to a long pass over the Milan backline to fire past keeper Mike Maignan with six minutes remaining.

After the game against United, they have further tough tests against their Spanish rivals Barcelona in a pre-season El Clasico in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday and Italian giants Juventus in Orlando next Tuesday, 1 August.

HOW CAN I WATCH THE GAME?

You can see United against Real Madrid live via MUTV, our United App and ManUtd.com, with exclusive pre-match and post-match access to the manager and squad.

The full 90 minutes and highlights videos will also be available on demand via MUTV.