How to watch and follow United v Lens

Wednesday 02 August 2023 11:39

Manchester United will take on French side RC Lens at Old Trafford in our penultimate pre-season game this Saturday (5 August). 

It will be the first meeting between United and Lens, although the two clubs share a connection through defender Raphael Varane, who started his professional career with the Blood and Gold.

Franck Haise’s men finished only one point behind league champions Paris-Saint Germain in Ligue 1 last season, which secured their place in the Champions League group stage for 2023/24.

Below you can find out everything you need to know ahead of this weekend's fixture at the Theatre of Dreams...

HOW CAN YOU WATCH AND FOLLOW THE GAME? 
 
The Reds’ clash with Lens kicks off at 12:45 BST on Saturday 5 August, nine days before our opening Premier League game at home to Wolves.  

Remember, MUTV is the only place to watch all of our pre-season fixtures this summer.

You can see United v Lens live on MUTV via the club channel, our United App and ManUtd.com, with exclusive pre and post-match access to the manager and squad.

The Full 90 match replay and highlights videos will also be available via MUTV on demand.

TICKET INFORMATION 
 
Season Ticket Holders, Executive Club Members and Official Members wishing to attend our only pre-season game at Old Trafford this summer can purchase tickets here: www.manutd.com/RCLensTickets.

WHAT'S THE TEAM NEWS?

Fans attending the fixture will be hoping to see summer signings Mason Mount and Andre Onana in action for the first time at Old Trafford since they became United players.

Both made their inaugural appearances for the club during our Tour 2023 visit to the United States, a trip which Fred and Tyrell Malacia missed due to personal reasons and injury respectively.

Anthony Martial did travel to the US but has played no part in our summer matches so far, as he works his way back from a hamstring strain sustained towards the end of the previous campaign.

It remains to be seen whether Alejandro Garnacho and Varane will be available against Lens, having been left out of our most recent outing versus Dortmund for precautionary reasons. Amad was also absent due to a knee issue which requires assessment, while Kobbie Mainoo will miss the start of the term with an ankle problem.

Saturday's pre-season friendly may also offer the opportunity for several Reds youngsters to feature, especially as Ten Hag will be looking to carefully manage his squad with two games in two days. The Reds face Athletic Club in Dublin on Sunday (6 August).

One weekend, two matches: how to follow it

 Article

Here's all you need to know about United's back-to-back pre-season fixtures, played at Old Trafford and in Dublin.

Lens have made a number of additions to their squad as they prepare for the new season, midfielder Andy Diouf became the club’s record signing after joining from Basel in July.

Our opponents' other summer signings include defender Abdukodir Khusanov, midfielders Stijn Spierings, Neil El Aynaoui and Angelo Fulgini, plus winger Morgan Guilavogui.

Both sides will be aiming for a positive afternoon in M16 ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Diouf (right) joins Lens on the back of a standout campaign for Swiss club Basel.

PLAYERS TO WATCH  

The previously mentioned Diouf will be one to watch, the young Frenchman was named the UEFA Conference League’s best young player for last season, after playing a key role in helping his former side Basel reach the semi-finals.  

In defence, Facundo Medina - a team-mate of Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho for Argentina - was one of the driving forces in the club achieving a second-placed finish in the French top flight last season, with his composure on the ball and range of passing. 

Lens' squad features a couple of players familiar to UK fans, in goalkeeper Brice Samba and centre-back Kevin Danso, who previously represented Nottingham Forest and Southampton respectively. 

Our return to Old Trafford is nearly here! Can’t be there? Watch every minute of the action and get behind-the-scenes access, only on MUTV.

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