EXCLUSIVE: Erik ten Hag set for a Perth showdown with Steven Gerrard
EXCLUSIVE: Erik ten Hag is set for a Perth showdown with Steven Gerrard as Manchester United confirm pre-season clash with Aston Villa to wrap up their first overseas trip since 2019
- Soccer giants Manchester United will take on Aston Villa in Perth this winter
- The Red Devils embark on their first overseas trip since before the pandemic
- Sportsmail understands Erik ten Hag will face Steven Gerrard at Optus Stadium
- The new Utd boss will run the rule over his new squad ahead of the 22-23 season
Manchester United new boss Erik ten Hag will lock horns with Steven Gerrard this winter after the Red Devils confirmed a pre-season clash with Aston Villa at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
United are set to play four games during their trip to Thailand and Australia in what will be their first overseas pre-season tour since 2019.
The Red Devils will play Liverpool in Bangkok on July 12 before heading down under to take on Melbourne Victory (July 15) and Crystal Palace (July 19) in a double header in Victoria.
Manchester United will take on Aston Villa in their final pre-season game in Perth this winter
Sportsmail understands that United will head west after the Palace game to take on Premier League rivals Villa at Optus Stadium on July 23.
The Red Devils last visited Perth three years ago, beating old rivals Leeds 4-0 and Perth Glory 2-0 in front of crowds of over 50,000 spectators during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign in charge of the club.
John Murtough, United’s Football Director, said: ‘We are delighted to be returning to Perth to face top-quality Premier League opposition and benefit from the first-class training facilities available to us in the city.
‘Pre-season tours are such an important part of the squad’s preparation for the season ahead, and we know from past experience that Perth is an ideal destination during this crucial period.’
Erik ten Hag will face off with Steven Gerrard as the new Utd boss casts his eye over his squad
Utd’s trip to Thailand and Australia is their first overseas tour since the start of the pandemic
United’s Chief Operating Officer, Collette Roche, added: ‘Our last visit to Perth three years ago was a huge success, with capacity crowds and some great football, so we can’t wait to return for Tour 2022.
‘We are looking forward to reconnecting with our fans, not just from Western Australia, but also supporters travelling in from neighbouring states and across South-East Asia. The reception we received last time was magnificent and I am sure this year will be no different.
Palace are also expected to take on Leeds United in Western Australia the day before United take on the Villans.
The Red Devils have not embarked on an overseas tour since the start of the Covid pandemic and they are not the only soccer club to be heading Down Under this year.
United have visited Optus Stadium (above) before, taking on Leeds and Perth Glory in 2019
LaLiga giants Barcelona have agreed to take on an A-League All Stars side at Accor Stadium in Sydney on May 25 after the 2021-22 season is wrapped up.
By the time United touch down in Australia, they may have a glut of new recruits ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. The Red Devils have been linked with the likes of Ruben Neves, Sebastian Haller, Harry Kane and Declan Rice.
Tickets for Manchester United v Aston Villa go on pre-sale to Manchester United Season Ticket Holders, Official Members and Executive Club Members from 3rd May at 14:00 AWST, 07:00 BST before going on general sale from 5th May.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.manutd.com/tour2022.
Share this article
Source: Read Full Article