It is friendly season again! Huzzah! We have stuff to talk about beyond just transfer rumors. Although next week’s friendly could see United include their first signing of the summer transfer window, Joshua Zirkzee, in their squad, potentially. If everything is finalized in time, Zirkzee might make the trip with the rest of the squad, and make a cameo.
Although that is probably a long-shot, at best.
Manchester United at Rosenborg FYIs
Kickoff: Monday, July 15, 6pm local, Lerkendal Stadion, Trondheim, Norway
Competition: Club Friendly
Man United Preview Content: Team News Starting XI Prediction
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Fun Fact: These two sides have met before in a friendly, twice. United won 3-2 in 1992 and 8-0 in 1977.
Man United Team News
The more likely scenario would see Zirkzee given a very well-deserved holiday, as he’s coming off international duty with the Netherlands, who just made a long, deep run to the semifinals of the Euros. He’ll probably join up with the squad later on in July.
Elsewhere Mason Greenwood is finalizing his exit, with Marseille the destination. And while Harry Maguire has resumed training, he’s still a doubt to feature in this match. That’s because he missed all of the Euros, with England, due to injury.
Speaking of that tournament, any United players currently with their national squads, at the European championships or the Copa America, will obviously not be a part of the squad here. Happy preseason everyone.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to Ravens Wire, part of the USA Today SMG’s NFL Wire Network and the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Tribune and the Washington Times. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.