Manchester United vs Real Madrid: Another reunion of sorts for Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho is set to face his former side yet again when Manchester United take on Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup on Tuesday evening.
The two sides, who notably met in the European Super Cup last season during which Real Madrid ultimately won 2-1, are both featuring in the annual summer friendly tournament largely taking place in the United States. Real Madrid and Manchester United will lock horns in Miami, at the same ground where the first ever American Clasico was staged last year. It’s the first game in the USA for Los Blancos, who will hope to get up and running ahead of upcoming clashes with a trio of Italian sides: Juventus, Roma, and AC Milan.
Notably, there won’t be one player taking part in this fixture: Cristiano Ronaldo. For the first time in well over a decade, the 33-year-old isn’t playing for the English giants nor for the Spanish superpower. Rather, he’s set to feature for none other than Serie A champions Juventus sometime next month, after making a €100 million move to Turin earlier this month.
With Ronaldo gone, Gareth Bale will finally have the chance to shine he has sought for since arriving from Tottenham back in 2013. The Welsh star is expected to feature in Tuesday’s friendly, along with Karim Benzema, who will be available after again being snubbed by the French national team. New signing Alvaro Odriozola could be handed his first ever start, whilst the Norwegian youngster Martin Odegaard, who has struggled to make his mark in the Spanish capital, has returned from a loan spell and could also get some game-time. In addition, promising Brazilian talent Vinicius, who was signed for €45 million, will get to show why Real Madrid decided to splash the cash on the 18-year-old.
Meanwhile, Manchester United will be hoping to rebound after a 4-1 humbling loss to Liverpool. The Red Devils could be missing the likes of Ander Herrera, Chris Smalling, and Eric Bailly after the trio didn’t feature in training with the team. In addition, other notable absentees include Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Marcus Rashford, and Marouane Fellaini. However, David De Gea will be expected to feature after Spain made an early exit at this summer’s World Cup, although Serbia’s Nemanja Matic isn’t with the squad despite his team failing to get out of their group.
Anthony Martial is also out after welcoming his second child and Argentina’s Sergio Romero is still recovering from his injury that kept him out of the World Cup.
With this being nothing but a friendly and given that it’s an American who came up with the tournament concept there will be unlimited subs (just like in American sports), this game presents a perfect opportunity for each side to test their tactical formations in a low-pressure environment. Will Manchester United get revenge on Real Madrid for their loss in the European Super Cup last season? Or will Los Blancos kick-start its USA tour with a win?
