Manchester United will continue their preparations for the 2022-23 campaign with a pre-season friendly against Australian outfit Melbourne Victory on Friday.
The Red Devils opened their summer tour with a 4-0 victory over bitter rivals Liverpool on Tuesday and will now take on a team that finished second in the A-League Men last term.
Match preview
© Reuters
Melbourne Victory are three-time A-League Men champions, last lifting the trophy in 2015, while they finished second in their domestic table last term, just a point behind Melbourne City.
The Boys in Blue confirmed the signing of former Man United attacker Nani on Tuesday, and the Portuguese is bidding to be involved against the 20-time English champions in this match.
Tony Popovic's side have been busy in terms of incomings this summer, with Tomi Juric, Paul Izzo and George Timotheou among those to arrive at the club ahead of the new campaign.
The 2022-23 A-League Men season does not actually start until October 7, while it will be paused in the middle of November due to the 2022 World Cup.
As well as Nani, Victory have another Portuguese in their ranks in the shape of Roderick Miranda, with the former Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-back the vice-captain of the Australian outfit, and the 31-year-old is expected to feature at the back in Friday's pre-season clash with the Red Devils.
© Reuters
Man United made the perfect start to their pre-season on Tuesday, as Jadon Sancho, Fred, Anthony Martial and Facundo Pellistri found the back of the net in a 4-0 victory over Liverpool.
New head coach Erik ten Hag has insisted that he will not read too much into the result, but the Dutchman was pleased with the performance of his players, and the team have now touched down in Australia for three matches against Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
The Red Devils will then head back to Europe towards the end of the month for their final two friendlies of the summer against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano on back-to-back days, before beginning their 2022-23 Premier League campaign at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on August 7.
Despite the ongoing speculation surrounding a number of players, Tyrell Malacia is the team's only summer signing thus far, and the Netherlands international made his debut off the bench against Liverpool.
The 2021-22 campaign was so disappointing for Man United, with the team finishing sixth in the Premier League table, but the early reports surrounding Ten Hag have been overwhelmingly positive, and the English giants should be bouncing following their excellent display against Jurgen Klopp's side.
- W
- D
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- L
- D
- W
- L
- L
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Nani has revealed that he is desperate to face his former club on Friday, but the Portuguese will have to prove his fitness to head coach Popovic, and he could be handed a late cameo here.
"As a player, I always want to play, so if he (Popovic) gives me five minutes, I will be ready. I would like to ... but I've just arrived in the country, it's a long flight, there are a lot of things to do to prepare. The body must be ready to compete," Nani said upon the completion of his move.
Popovic will want to make full use of his squad and take a look at the club's recent signings, with Juric, Noah Smith and Timotheou potentially all starting for Victory here.
Nick D'Agostino was the team's leading goalscorer in the A-League Men last term with 10, and the 23-year-old is also expected to feature in the final third of the field.
As for Man United, club captain Harry Maguire did not feature against Liverpool due to a slight knock, but he is expected to be in the starting XI on Friday.
Head coach Ten Hag will shuffle his pack from the side that took to the field for the first whistle on Tuesday, with Malacia, Donny van de Beek and Anthony Elanga potentially coming in from the start.
Martial might again get the nod through the middle, while Bruno Fernandes should also retain his spot, with outings for the likes of Pellistri, Charlie Savage and Zidane Iqbal likely to come from the bench.
David de Gea picked up a slight knock against Liverpool and could now be replaced between the sticks by Tom Heaton, while Hannibal Mejbri will hope to feature, having not been used last time out.
There will be no Axel Tuanzebe for the 20-time English champions, though, as the centre-back has not made the trip to Australia alongside his teammates due to a personal issue.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who is seemingly failing in his attempts to leave Man United this summer, is also still absent for Ten Hag's side due to a family matter.
Melbourne Victory possible starting lineup:
Acton; Geria, Roderick, Timotheou, N Smith; Barnett, Brimmer, Broxham, Brillante; D'Agostino, Juric
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Heaton; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Malacia; Van de Beek, Fred, Fernandes; Elanga, Martial, Sancho
We say: Melbourne Victory 1-3 Manchester United
Victory will certainly provide competitive opposition for Man United, which is exactly what Ten Hag will want at this stage of pre-season. There will be a huge difference in quality between the two sides, though, and we are expecting the Red Devils to make it back-to-back victories on Friday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
