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International Champions Cup: Manchester United vs Real Madrid preview – TEAM NEWS CONFIRMED!

By Ollie Slack

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Manchester United take on Real Madrid tonight in their fifth game of the International Champions Cup. Jose Mourinho has been moaning all week but a win would surely lift his spirits.

So far, Manchester United have had a preseason to forget. After drawing with Club America and San Jose Earthquakes, United managed their first win by defeating AC Milan on penalties.

However, just as fans thought the Red Devils had turned the corner closest rivals Liverpool made sure they hadn’t. Jurgen Klopp’s men thrashed Jose Mourinho’s side 4-1.

In Real Madrid, they face a further test. Despite missing Varane, Modric and Marcelo from their squad, there is still plenty of talent which could cause United damage.

One man who has always been linked with the club, Gareth Bale, will be expected to fill Cristiano Ronaldo’s shoes now the Portuguese man has left Los Blancos for Juventus. It is the Welshman’s first club match since the Champions League final in May.

Manchester United will need to be much improved if they want to get anything out of the fixture. It is their last game in the USA before they fly to Munich to face Bundesliga champions Bayern.

Expect Mourinho to park the bus again with their main plan of attack to counter Real Madrid. Madrid themselves have built their legacy on fast counter attacking football, therefore if both teams want to we could be in for an entertaining evening.

Chris Smalling, Nemanja Matic and Luke Shaw had all picked up knocks/injuries of some sort, but Shaw has recovered in time. That may hand Timothy Fosu-Mensah a chance to impress at centre-back after his positive performances of late. The Dutch defender will have Karim Benzema to handle.
Chris Smalling, Nemanja Matic and Luke Shaw had all picked up knocks/injuries of some sort, but Shaw has recovered in time. That may hand Timothy Fosu-Mensah a chance to impress at centre-back after his positive performances of late. The Dutch defender will have Karim Benzema to handle. /

Mourinho has gone for a 433 system despite limited experienced attacking options. Moaning again this week, Jose was not happy that Anthony Martial had not returned to the USA quickly after his wife had recently given birth.

A statement so bizarre was just a pinch of what the Manchester United manager was unhappy with last week.

David De Gea is back for United after returning from his holidays. The Spaniard exited the World Cup earlier than usual, but, facing the club who have wanted to sign him ever since he rose the top De Gea will be hoping to keep Real Madrid out.

vs Real Madrid starting XI: David De Gea (GK), Matteo Darmian, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Scott McTominay, Fred, Juan Mata, Alexis Sanchez, Andreas Pereira.

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