United's pre-season plans to take shape

Erik ten Hag spoke to club media recently about the importance of the friendly fixtures in preparing his squad for the upcoming campaign, with the first game taking place a day after the Euro 2024 final in Berlin, with United facing Rosenborg in Norway.

It means there will still be much attention paid to what is going on at the club, while a number of our players compete in Germany and at the Copa America.

Of course, the progress of the relevant international teams in the tournaments will have an impact on when our players report back to Carrington, with footballers entitled to a three-week break. 

There are eight Reds at Euro 2024, representing Denmark [Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund], England [Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo], Portugal [Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes], Scotland [Scott McTominay] and Turkey [Altay Bayindir], while Tom Heaton is also with Gareth Southgate's side as a training goalkeeper.

The Copa America could feature Argentina duo Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho, plus Uruguay's Facundo Pellistri, who spent the last six months at Granada in Spain.

“We have a strong first-team squad there with players that can present themselves to the fans," said Ten Hag, when asked about the tour plans before the end of last season. "But especially to us. They have the levels to play in our team for next season.

“There will be a mix, with experienced players together with some young players.

“[The squad will be] as strong as possible but, of course, the players who go far in the Copa America and the Euros will not be involved.

"Pre-season is about preparing for the season and we have to make that our next step," he explained.

"It is one of the only times when you have the team together, and you can work in training on structures, the way of play, but also on certain standards around the team and that’s very important to take this period and use it effectively.

"We will bring players like Kobbie, who was very unknown by that time, and now everyone knows him.

“So if you want to have the first glimpse of players - maybe new players or young players who are coming up through the Academy, then this is your opportunity.”

In addition to any youngsters featuring, and the club did perform very well at Academy level last term, it is clear that a number of experienced figures are also likely to be involved in the pre-season fixtures, including the tour to the United States.

Harry Maguire has spelt out his determination to regain fitness in Manchester after being forced to miss out on Euro 2024, and the composition of the travelling squad is bound to be eagerly awaited by supporters.

WHEN ARE UNITED NEXT IN ACTION?

The Reds will return to the pitch on 15 July, when we face Rosenborg in Trondheim for our first pre-season game. Our second friendly will be against Rangers at Murrayfield, Edinburgh on 20 July.

We'll then fly out to the United States for Tour 2024, presented by Snapdragon, and take on three teams: Arsenal (Los Angeles, 27 July), Real Betis (San Diego, 31 July) and Liverpool (Columbia, 3 August).

You can buy tickets for all of our pre-season games here, subject to availability.