Manchester United will remain in Europe this summer for pre-season preparations. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
Pre-season will allow Manchester United to prepare for the 2026/27 season, which could see the Red Devils make an eagerly awaited return to the Champions League.
In previous years, United have travelled far and wide, to destinations such as the United States and Australia. This summer, there will be less travelling because the team will remain in Europe, which means they will have more time to focus on training.
The pre-season friendly matches give United fans a chance to see new signings up close for the first time.
With the World Cup now weeks away, which players do you predict will do well at the tournament?
And how far will they make it?👀
When does pre-season begin?
Historically, United have begun pre-season preparations in the first week of July, but this year the World Cup will run between June 11 and July 19.
The first pre-season friendly will take place on July 18.
That means there will be several players missing for chunks of pre-season due to World Cup commitments.
However, those not competing at the World Cup will be expected to return to Carrington once pre-season begins.
Man Utd pre-season fixtures 2026
As of 1/04/2026, five fixtures have been officially announced for United’s pre-season tour of Europe, with a sixth set to be confirmed. These are as follows.
- Thursday, July 18 2026: Manchester United vs Wrexham, Helsinki – 4pm
- Friday, July 24 2026: Rosenborg vs Manchester United, Trondheim – 5pm
- Saturday, August 1, 2026: Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United, Stockholm – 2pm
- Saturday, August 8, 2026: Manchester United vs Paris Saint-Germain, Gothenburg – 4pm
- Wednesday, August 12 2026: Manchester United vs Leeds United, Croke Park, Dublin – 7.30pm
- Saturday, August 15 2026: Manchester United vs AC Milan, Wroclaw – tbc
What do YOU think of Manchester United’s pre-season schedule for 2026?
How to watch Man Utd pre-season
All matches will be broadcast live for fans on MUTV.
MUTV subscriptions typically cost around £7.99 per month or £29.99 for an annual pass, although prices can vary by location.
Tickets
United have yet to announce their ticketing plans for the pre-season tour, but tickets are expected to sell out quickly for each match.
WHICH player do Manchester United NEED to sell this summer?
Manuel Ugarte? Joshua Zirkzee? Mason Mount?
When did Man Utd last spend an entire pre-season tour in Europe?
It’s no secret that United’s pre-season tours around the world have been hugely commercially successful, which will remain the case despite not clocking up thousands of extra air miles by travelling to another continent.
United did not travel abroad for pre-season in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the last time they travelled solely around Europe to prepare for a new campaign was in 2002.
In 2002, United took part in friendly matches in Ireland, England and the Netherlands. They faced Shelbourne, Chesterfield, Bournemouth, Valerenga, Ajax, Parma, Aarhus XI and Boca Juniors.
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