With the first game of our US Tour in the books, we now turn our attention to Manchester United at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
As always, it’s a big game between two big rivals, but what exactly has changed at Old Trafford since the end of the last campaign?
Here is everything you need to know ahead of our clash with the Red Devils:
How did Man Utd fare last season?
Erik Ten Hag’s team suffered a disappointing campaign, with their eighth-place finish their worst since 1989/90, and also ended with a negative goal difference. Unable to break into the top five at all, they recorded just four wins from their final 13 league matches and their 19 defeats in all competitions was the most they’d suffered since 1978.
However they did clinch the FA Cup with a victory over neighbours City to deny them the double, sneaking into the Europa League in the process to ensure that European nights remain. Despite huge speculation around his job security, Ten Hag saw his contract extended by another year in the summer to move into his third season at the helm.
Have Man Utd dipped into the transfer market?
With fresh investment pumped into the club courtesy of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United have quickly started trying to improve their squad. A reported £36.5 million was splashed out on Bologna striker Joshua Kirkzee, who netted 11 times in 34 Serie A games last term and made his Netherlands debut in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.
Another £52 million followed to bring Lille defender Leny Yoro to Manchester, making him the most expensive 18-year-old in football history. Capped by France up to under-23 level, he played 60 times for Lille and was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season last term.
Offsetting the big money buys, Mason Greenwood has joined Marseille for £26 million, while Donny van der Beek has joined Girona. Youngsters Willy Kambwala and Omari Forson have signed for Villarreal and Monza respectively, while Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial are two of the biggest names to be released.
Meanwhile, a familiar face has reappeared in the United dugout, as Ruud van Nistelrooy has joined Ten Hag's coaching staff as an assistant manager.
Who have Man Utd selected for their tour?
Like ourselves, United are missing a lot of international players, but have still named a strong squad for their time in the US.
Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay will be looking for their first minutes of pre-season against us, while Andre Onana, Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Mason Mount, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho have all been in action already.
Zirkzee is not included after reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2024, and joins Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Facundo Pellistri and Altay Bayindir in being granted extended time off. Tyrell Malacia is the only injury concern, and hasn't travelled.
Goalkeepers: Andre Onana, Tom Heaton, Dermot Mee, Radek Vitek
Defenders: Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Sam Murray, Harry Amass, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Jonny Evans, Will Fish, Rhys Bennett
Midfielders: Casemiro, Maxi Oyedele, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay, Jack Fletcher, Mason Mount, Hannibal, Sam Mather, James Scanlon
Forwards: Antony, Traore, Jadon Sancho, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Ethan Wheatley
How have Man Utd fared in pre-season so far?
United took to the field for their first friendly of the summer on July 15 when they headed to Norway to face Rosenborg. Despite having Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mason Mount in their ranks, a largely youthful side conceded a last-gasp strike from Noah Holm to hand the host a 1-0 win.
Five days later they took on Rangers in Murrayfield, and this time victory was secured via a 2-0 scoreline thanks to goals from Amad Diallo and young striker Joe Hugill, on a day that saw Yoro make his Red Devils bow and Andre Onana and Jaydon Sancho also feature.
Wednesday saw them jet off to the USA for our game in Los Angeles, and after that they head to San Diego to face Real Betis before meeting Liverpool in South Carolina, in what’ll be their final warm-up game before the all-Manchester affair in the Community Shield.
How can I watch Arsenal v Manchester United?
Tickets for the game at SoFi Stadium are still available to purchase. The game is a 5pm kick-off locally on Saturday, July 27.
If you want to steam the action live from the comfort of your own home, then you can do so by purchasing a Match Pass.
Coverage starts at 12am UK time in the early hours of Sunday morning, with a full hour-long build-up show getting you ready for a game between two old rivals that always delivers!
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