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Old 19-07-2017, 10:40 PM   #2
Andi Istiabudi
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Default Re: [2017 Pre Season] Manchester United vs Manchester City



MATCH PREVIEW: UNITED V MANCHESTER CITY


So, two games, two wins... That's right, following back-to-back victories over LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake during Tour 2017, presented by Aon, Manchester United return to action against more familiar opponents on Thursday (20 July). The clash against Manchester City at the 71,795-capacity NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas is significant for a number of reasons. Not only does it represent a great chance for Jose Mourinho's men to gauge their pre-season progress against a Premier League side, it will be the first derby played outside of the UK, and United's first game in this summer's International Champions Cup. Kick-off for this highly anticipated match is scheduled for 20:30 local time (02:30 BST on Friday 21 July).

How can I watch it? Fans who subscribe to the club’s MUTV app or online at the recently launched mutv.com will have access to watch all of the team’s pre-season games. With no extra cost to subscribers, fans can watch all seven of United’s tour games live. The app is available to download in over 160 countries across the world - check it out via the Apple or Google Play app stores, or subscribe online at mutv.com.

What happened in our previous games? Well, as mentioned, preparations have been going according to plan for United so far. Following a comfortable 5-2 win over LA Galaxy in California last weekend, the Reds secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Real Salt Lake in Utah on Monday, with Romelu Lukaku scoring his first goal for the club. As well as our new additions, fans were also afforded a first look at the new adidas home and away kits for 2017/18, with fans sharing their matchday photos on social media using #UnitedInRed . As Tour 2017 picks up pace in week two, positive results against MLS opposition have set the Reds up nicely for games against City, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Any team news? Following that win over Real Salt Lake, Mourinho provided an update on Juan Mata and Matteo Darmian, who were forced off after suffering knocks during the game. "Mata has a big ankle but I hope it is nothing important. A few days, a week, probably," he said. "Darmian's problem is not an important one." And indeed, Darmian trained on Tuesday. In both of United's pre-season matches so far, the boss has opted to change his side at half-time and, asked if he will continue to do so, he replied: "No, but I will try to go for 60/30 and some players can play 60 minutes against City and then they will play 30 minutes against Real Madrid and vice versa. I will try the same, I will try to give minutes to everybody because it's an important thing." Whether Mourinho chooses to play with a back three or a back four (both of which have been trialled in America) remains to be seen.

What about our opponents? Good question. Thursday's match will actually be our neighbours' first of the summer; the Blues are set for a four-game pre-season schedule ahead of the new Premier League campaign, having trained for a week back in Manchester. Summer signings Ederson and Kyle Walker were part of the squad that travelled to America on Monday and could feature in the game, while fellow new addition Bernardo Silva has been allowed extra time off after representing Portugal at the Confederations Cup.

Aren't we wearing a special kit?
We are indeed. In fact, both sets of players will wear shirts featuring Manchester’s iconic worker bee, following May's terrorist attack in the city. After the match, both clubs will make the match-worn shirts available for fans to purchase, via auction, with all proceeds going to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund. Symbolising the industrial heritage of Manchester and its people, the worker bee has been an emblem since the Victorian era and was adopted into the city’s coat of arms in 1842.

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