Manchester United will be taking on Aston Villa in game number four of their pre-season tour.
Both clubs have been looking to become as prepared as possible ahead of the 2022/23 season, which starts a few weeks earlier than normal due to the 2022 World Cup taking place in December instead of the normal summer period.
Manchester United have spent their tour so far on the other side of the planet playing in both Bangkok and Melbourne, with Aston Villa also taking their pre-season preparation to Australia to face Leeds United, Brisbane Roar and finally Manchester United.
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Here are how each side has fared so far in pre-season:
Manchester United
The Red Devils have been absolutely flying this pre-season. Three games and three victories has seen Erik ten Hag start life well as Manchester United manager.
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In their first pre-season friendly, the side travelled to a rainy Bangkok to face arch enemies Liverpool, and dispatched them with ease.
Goals from Jadon Sancho, Fred, Anthony Martial and Facundo Pellistri saw the side in Red cruise to an easy 4-0 victory in Ten Hag’s first game on the touch line.
The pick of the match was no doubt Fred’s goal; a sublime chip lofted over the stranded Alisson, who could do nothing more than scramble back and watch as his Brazilian teammate showed what he’s capable of.
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Next to fall victim was Melbourne Victory in Melbourne at the MCG, and although the local side took an early lead, two quick goals before half time from Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial saw United head into half-time with a slim lead.
The Devils took control in the second half, and two more goals courtesy of Marcus Rashford and an own goal from Edmond Lupancu created by a Tahith Chong cross saw the club take two wins from two.
Facing a second Premier League opposition of the summer, Crystal Palace rocked up to the MCG four days later and left the city with a 3-1 loss.
A third goal in three from Anthony Martial and the second of the tour for both Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho was dampened only by a corner goal from Joel Ward, which may be something to worry about for Ten Hag since United looked so shaky while defending them last season.
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Aston Villa
Aston Villa have also been victorious in their opening three pre-season fixtures.
Starting their pre-season on 9 July, they demolished League Two side Walsall 4-0 with goals from Leon Bailey, Cameron Archer, Ollie Watkins and Douglas Luiz.
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They then moved on to their Australian tour, where a tense fixture against Leeds United awaited those in claret.
A goal from Danny Ings via a penalty secured a narrow 1-0 victory, however it should also be noted that ex-Liverpool star Phillipe Coutinho had both a penalty and subsequent rebound saved brilliantly by Ilan Meslier, and goalscorer Danny Ings also had one ruled out for offside.
The club’s third fixture of the summer was a match up against Brisbane Roar, and a second 1-0 victory in a row thanks to a Cameron Archer finish secured the club’s third win in three.
Manchester United will be by far the toughest challenge Steven Gerrard’s side has faced, with Erik ten Hag’s men looking like they are getting into their rhythm ahead of their Premier League start on 7 August against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Topics: Manchester United, Aston Villa, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, Danny Ings, Marcus Rashford, Facundo Pellistri, Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Leeds United, Premier League, Football
Dylan Penketh