Tour 2018 preview: United v Real Madrid

Setting the scene… After two-and-a-half weeks in the United States, the Reds prepare to wrap up what has been a hugely beneficial trip for the squad with a glamour tie against European champions Real Madrid in Miami. Tour 2018, presented by Aon, began with a 1-1 draw against Club America and was followed by a goalless stalemate against San Jose Earthquakes two days later. The Reds kicked off the ICC campaign by edging a dramatic penalty shootout against AC Milan, winning 9-8, after a 1-1 draw in Carson, California. Jose Mourinho’s men then met arch-rivals Liverpool in the second game of the tournament in front of over 100,000 spectators in Ann Arbor. A late surge from the Merseysiders resulted in a disappointing 4-1 loss in Michigan but attention now turns to signing off the tour on a positive note against the Spanish giants, who are only just about to embark on their pre-season. 

How can I watch? The match will kick off at 01:05 BST on Wednesday morning (20:05 EDT on Tuesday local time) and, like all of United's pre-season games, it will be live on MUTV. In the UK and Ireland, the channel is available via Sky, Virgin Media and MUTV.com. Outside the UK and Ireland, it can be viewed on MUTV.com, through the MUTV app on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Xbox, and on Roku.

How are Real Madrid doing? With La Liga starting later than the Premier League, Los Blancos’ ICC campaign is only beginning now. The Champions League holders also face Juventus and Roma in the coming days and new coach Julen Lopetegui will be hoping to hit the ground running. The 51-year-old replaced Zinedine Zidane this summer and has already had to deal with the departure of former United star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Where are we playing? After spending most of our time in the US in Los Angeles, Jose’s men have travelled to Florida for the final game of the tour, which will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami. The Reds have played there before, in 2014, when goals from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard ensured we ran out 3-1 victors against Liverpool in the final of the ICC during Louis van Gaal's time as manager. 

When did we last meet Real Madrid? United and Real Madrid faced each other in last season’s UEFA Super Cup. Although it was ultimately a disappointing evening for the Reds, Romelu Lukaku scored his first official goal for the club. Casemiro and Isco were on target for Los Blancos as they ran out 2-1 winners in Skopje, Macedonia.

Have we played Real Madrid before in the ICC? We have met Real twice before in the pre-season tournament, in 2014 and 2017. Four years ago, an Ashley Young brace and a late goal from Javier Hernandez helped United to a 3-1 win. The two sides also locked horns during last summer's tour, as the Reds won 2-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes, courtesy of goals from Casemiro and Lingard. 

Have Real Madrid signed anyone this summer? Ronaldo’s much-publicised departure from the Santiago Bernabeu has stolen most of the headlines in the Spanish capital this summer, but Real have brought in three new additions so far. Alvaro Odriozola, part of the Spain squad at the World Cup, has signed from Real Sociedad for an estimated €30 million, while Ukrainian goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin, has also joined from Zorya Luhansk, whom the Reds played during our successful 2016/17 Europa League campaign. However, Los Blancos fans are most excited about the incoming Vinicius Junior, who has moved to the La Liga club for around £40 million. At just 18, he has become the second most expensive teenager in the history of world football and could make an appearance against the Reds.

Who could feature for United? David De Gea could make his first appearance of pre-season after linking up with the squad last week following his World Cup exploits. Summer signing Fred could also make his first start of the tour, after the Brazilian made his unofficial debut for the Reds as a substitute against Liverpool. The boss has confirmed that Nemanja Matic will be unavailable for United’s remaining pre-season games, as the midfielder has flown back to the UK to undergo surgery on an injury he sustained at the World Cup. Regular captain Antonio Valencia and Anthony Martial will also miss the game, while it remains to be seen if Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw will feature after sitting out the defeat to Liverpool. 

Who else are we playing in pre-season? The Reds will fly home after the Real Madrid game and begin preparations for our final pre-season game, against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Sunday. The Reds last faced the reigning German champions in the 2014 Champions League quarter-finals. Bayern have also competed in the ICC this summer, playing Manchester City, Juventus and Paris Saint Germain.