MANCHESTER UNITED have announced their latest pre-season fixture – and it will certainly be of interest to Erling Haaland.
The Red Devils have confirmed that they will be taking on bitter rivals Leeds United in their first friendly of the 2023/24 campaign.
2Man Utd will face Leeds in their opening pre-season fixtureCredit: AP
2No doubt Erling Haaland will have a great interest in the clashCredit: Reuters
The fact that United are facing Leeds, who are fighting for their Premier League status this Sunday when they host Tottenham on the final day, is not the only appealing thing for Haaland.
Manchester City’s Norwegian top scorer grew up supporting the Elland Road club due to his dad, Alf-Inge Haaland, playing for them.
But the clash also has extra spice as it will take place in Haaland’s homeland on July 12 at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo.
The game marks a return to the Ullevaal Stadium for United.
They have previously played pre-season friendlies there in 2017 and 2019 against local sides Valerenga and Kristiansund as well as last year’s friendly against Atletico Madrid.
Erik ten Hag’s side will then face Lyon at Murrayfield in Edinburgh before departing for their four-match tour of America.
United face Arsenal at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on July 22, Wrexham at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego three days later before taking on Real Madrid the following day at NRG Stadium in Houston.
The tour of the States will then conclude with a friendly against Borussia Dortmund at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on July 30.
Man Utd football director John Murtough said: “Manchester United is hugely popular in Norway, and we are delighted to be bringing this game to our Norwegian fans.
“Oslo is home to our largest official supporters’ club, and I know our fans will be out in force to watch this historic match.
“There is a lot of history and a fierce rivalry between the two clubs, providing a competitive first match for Erik and the team to start their preparations for the 2023/24 campaign.”
