This match is also a chance for the home side to put the crushing defeat to Sydney in their last competitive outing behind them, knowing that they have a chance to claim a huge scalp in front of their supporters. Tony Popovic's side beat Bayswater City 3-0 in their opening friendly on Tuesday, but it goes without saying that this will be a far more difficult test against a United side out to prove a point. Like United, Glory are currently enjoying their off-season, with the A-League not resuming until mid-October. Perth Glory led the way from matchday three right the way through until the concluding round of regular-league matches, only to be edged out on penalties by Sydney FC in the Grand Final. United face a difficult first test on their tour of Australia and Asia as they come up against the side that finished top of the A-League last season. Solskjaer has already made it clear to his players that their fitness levels were not good enough last season, so the first part of pre-season is all about getting each member of his squad up to speed.Ī 45-minute run-out for the majority of his players on Saturday, combined with a victory, would be a good way to start what could be a season of redemption. The squad has not improved all that much, despite the arrivals of young, British duo Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka for a combined £65m.Īnder Herrera has yet to be replaced in central midfield and Solskjaer now has only a month to bring in the three players - a midfielder, winger and centre-back - that he is supposedly after. They ended the season without a win in six matches - including a final-day home defeat to relegated Cardiff City - and won just two of their last 12. The Red Devils' incredible run of form when Solskjaer initially replaced Jose Mourinho on a caretaker basis at Christmas time is now a long, long time ago. Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku have both travelled with the squad for their tour Down Under, despite both having admitted that they would like to play their football away from Old Trafford next season.Ĭontract negotiations with David de Gea have rumbled on far too long, meanwhile, and there is still the worry among United supporters that Solskjaer may not be the right man for the job after all.
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