Manchester United have announced their squad for a pre-season tour of the USA, while also confirming Rasmus Hojlund as the club’s new No9.
The Red Devils are joining the likes of Premier League rivals Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea by jetting out to America, where they face the Gunners at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday night.
Erik ten Hag’s side then meet LaLiga outfit Real Betis at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium next Wednesday, before their three-match trip concludes with a blockbuster showdown against fierce rivals Liverpool at Williams–Brice Stadium in Columbia, North Carolina next weekend.
FA Cup holders United then face reigning Premier League champions Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley on August 10, before beginning the new campaign at home to Fulham six days later.
Ten Hag’s 29-man squad to head across the Atlantic has now been confirmed, with teenage defender Leny Yoro included after making a swift United debut in last weekend’s Amad Diallo-inspired 2-0 win over Rangers at Murrayfield having completed a £52million move from French side Lille.
However, fans will have to wait a little longer to see fellow new signing Joshua Zirkzee in action, with the £36.5m arrival from Bologna currently on holiday following the Netherlands’ run to the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot, Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Pellistri and Altay Bayindir are similarly on holiday following their respective international exertions this summer at either the European Championship or Copa America tournament.
Also absent from the tour is Zirkzee’s compatriot Tyrell Malacia, whom United say is “continuing his rehabilitation from injury under the guidance of medical staff at Carrington”.
Away we go! 🇺🇸#MUFC || #MUTOUR24 https://t.co/b0N4seoUkz pic.twitter.com/ksfqLVIxoM
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 24, 2024
The versatile full-back missed the entirety of last season due to injury and has not played at all for the club since May 2023.
Jadon Sancho has been included for the trip as speculation continues to mount over a potential move to Paris Saint-Germain, while Christian Eriksen, Tom Heaton and Hojlund are all back from their post-Euros breaks.
The absence of several first-team stars has led to opportunity for a raft of youngsters such as Radek Vitek, Dermot Mee, Harry Amass, Rhys Bennett, Will Fish, Sam Murray, Toby Collyer, Jack Fletcher, Sam Mather, Maxi Oyedele, James Scanlon and Ethan Wheatley.
Hannibal Mejbri is also travelling after the conclusion of his disappointing loan spell at Sevilla, along with other players linked with moves away from United as part of their planned summer squad overhaul under part-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos including Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay and Antony.
— 𝑅𝒶𝓈𝓂𝓊𝓈 𝐻𝑜𝒿𝓁𝓊𝓃𝒹 (@RasmusHojlundFC) July 24, 2024
United also confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that Hojlund had become their new No9, switching from the No11 he took on following his £72m transfer from Atalanta last summer to inherit the shirt recently vacated by the departure of Anthony Martial following the end of his contract.
The Danish international, 21, netted 16 goals in 43 total appearances across all competitions during a promising if sometimes inconsistent first campaign in Manchester.
