Jose Mourinho’s men will contest five matches, including the first Manchester derby to be played outside England and mouthwatering ties against Spanish powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona, across five different cities in the space of 11 days.
The personnel that are currently based in Los Angeles, preparing to meet five-time MLS champions LA Galaxy on Saturday is a mixture of senior-team regulars last season, new boy Victor Lindelof and those seeking to break into Mourinho’s starting eleven next term.
Given the Portuguese tactician meticulous in everything he does, and knowing the importance of a good pre-season, this is an opportunity to lay the foundations down for a good forthcoming campaign as well as proving those on the periphery a chance to stake a claim.
That being said, here are five things we’ve learned from the announcement.
1. Who is going on their first Man Utd pre-season tour?
As mentioned new recruit Lindelof is making his United pre-season tour debut.
Among the contingent, there are also two youngsters embarking on their inaugural pre-season tour: Scott McTominay and Demetri Mitchell.
Both made their senior United debuts at the backend of last season. McTominay, a centre-forward, featured twice after making his first appearance in United’s defeat away to Arsenal before completing the full 90 minutes in a comfortable win over Crystal Palace on final day.
Mitchell, a left-back by trade, made his official debut in the aforementioned 2-0 win over Palace and his presence as well as McTominay’s is further confirmation of their standing in Mourinho’s eyes.
2. Which senior players have been left behind
Mourinho has pretty much taken United’s first team squad from last season or what’s left of it after the recent departures of Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The most senior player missing, though, is Adnan Januzaj who has never played a single minute under the Portuguese manager.
Januzaj, who has played 63 times for United, spent last season on loan at Sunderland and is expected to depart Old Trafford this summer.
3. What signings do they need?
United by any stretch of the imagination aren’t done with their transfer business this summer.
Lindelof and Lukaku as far as Mourinho is concerned is just the beginning as he continues to strengthen his squad in preparation of Champions League football returning to Old Trafford next season.
One area he’s looking at is on the flanks, which comes as no surprise considering how throughout his managerial career he’s appreciated flying and productive wingers, a name that is continually linked is Ivan Perisic of Inter Milan,Felipe Anderson of lazio,Thomas Lemar of monaco,and possibly Riyad Mahrez of leicester city
Another position which could see work being done is central midfield. Michael Carrick, expected to be named as Rooney’s successor as club captain, has a year left on his present deal with Monaco’s defensive midfielder Fabinho strongly linked with joining the record 20-time English champions,Alongside Nemanja Matic and Eric Dier
4. A mixture of the old and young
Mourinho’s squad, which boasts an average age of 25, is as you’d expect heavily experienced with no fewer than 14 players (51.8% of the total) aged 25 or older with Carrick being the elder statesman at 35.
However, there is a sprinkle of youth, among the nine players who are 21 or under there are three teenagers with Timothy Fosu-Mensah the youngest of the 19-year-olds (other two being forward Marcus Rashford and defender Axel Tuanzebe).
5. Lukaku not listed – so when is his debut?
A notable omission from the Red Devil’s travelling party is Romelu Lukaku. But has now been officially unveiled as a United player after a fee had been agreed with Everton last weekend.
Although he is not on the list, he will immediately join up with his new teammates with some reports suggesting their game against LA Galaxy could be his unofficial debut.
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