Manchester United are certainly being put through their paces this weekend with two games in two days, and the last of those comes against Spanish side Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford on Sunday, in preparation for next week’s Premier League opener.
The Red Devils have already enjoyed six warm-up fixtures this summer, including yesterday’s clash with Atletico Madrid in Norway, of which they quickly travelled back from ahead of Erik ten Hag’s first home game.
And looking to spoil his party is Rayo Vallecano, who finished 12th in La Liga last season and reached the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, while they have already faced English opposition twice this summer in the form of Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City.
When is Man Utd vs Rayo Vallecano
Man Utd vs Rayo Vallecano will kick-off at 4pm on Sunday, July 31 at Old Trafford.
The two sides have never played each other before, meaning that this will be their first ever meeting, although United will be hoping to continue their impressive pre-season run following victories over Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace and a draw with Aston Villa on their summer tour of Thailand and Australia.
As for Rayo, they began pre-season with a 3-0 defeat to Freiburg, before travelling to England for a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday and a 2-2 draw with Birmingham, followed by a return to Spain for a 2-1 victory away to Leganes.
Who would you like to see start for Man Utd on Sunday? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
How to watch
The match will not be televised but United will be streaming the game on their individual club channel, MUTV. Subscribers can watch this for free, while you can sign up to the service through the club website here.
Live coverage will begin at 3pm.
Match odds
Manchester United vs Rayo Vallecano odds from Betfred
Manchester United - 4/9
Draw - 7/2
Rayo Vallecano - 9/2
*odds subject to change
18+, new UK customers only, T&Cs apply
Team news
Erik ten Hag is expected to name a completely different starting lineup for this fixture in order to give as many players as possible a chance of 90 minutes ahead of next weekend’s Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion, so wholesale changes can be expected here.
That means that new signings Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen could start from the off, while the likes of Luke Shaw, Donny van de Beek and Jadon Sancho should also return to the fold, while Cristiano Ronaldo could feature after he returned to training.
As for head coach Andoni Iraola, he will be expected to name his strongest lineup in Rayo Vallecano’s final pre-season friendly of the summer, as he looks to cause an upset and grab a famous result for his side at Old Trafford on Sunday.
And United fans will be very familiar with two players in their side, as former forwards Bebe and Radamel Falcao make their returns to the north west for this fixture and will be desperate to make an impression following their poor spells at the club. Former Atletico Madrid and Watford midfielder Mario Suarez is also amongst the ranks.
