Manchester United Pre-Season Schedule 2015: Fixtures, Dates, Live Stream Info
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will be well aware of just how significant his side’s pre-season preparations are for the 2015-16 season, as the Dutchman bids to better the Red Devils' fourth-place finish from his debut campaign.
United impressed in bursts during the previous season but were underwhelming for the most part. After spending big in the transfer window already, expectations have already been heightened further ahead of the Premier League’s kick-off and it’s important a strong pre-season paves the way for a prosperous domestic start.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell took a look at some key factors to look out for in these preparatory contests:
Given just how important these games are, here’s a closer look at the matches scheduled to be played by the Red Devils, where you can catch the action and a rundown of a player that’ll be desperate to impress in these games.
| July 18 | 4 a.m. | Club America | CenturyLink Field, Washington |
| July 21 | TBC | San Jose Earthquakes | TBC |
| July 25 | 9 p.m. | Barcelona | Levi's Stadium, California |
| July 30 | 2 a.m. | Paris Saint-Germain | Soldier Field, Illinois |
Matches will be shown live on MUTV (UK) and can be streamed through the club’s official website.
First Look at Memphis Depay for Red Devils
Given that Manchester United confirmed the capture of Memphis Depay a while ago, his acquisition seems to have been understated by plenty amidst the whirlwind of transfer activity currently engulfing Old Trafford.
But, just in case you needed reminding, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about this vibrant Dutchman plying his trade in the Premier League:
For long spells last season, United were without the skilful wing play that has become almost synonymous with the club under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson. Angel Di Maria failed to fire like he is capable of doing and it left Van Gaal’s side often looking ponderous and one-dimensional in their attacking forays.
But Depay certainly has all the attributes to thrill the Old Trafford faithful and has insisted that’s exactly what he intends to do, per Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News:
"I will be creative so I think that is what the crowd like. Goals.
I believe I will work on it and I am excited to do my job for Manchester United and to score goals. I am a striker so I want to score goals and get assists. I trained three times this week and I feel different than the Dutch league in training. I have to improve myself so I can work hard and show the boss I can handle it.
"
The first glimpse United fans are likely to get of Depay is in the opening match of their pre-season tour against Club America in Seattle. Then the Red Devils will face San Jose Earthquakes, before illustrious matches up against Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, all in the International Champions Cup.
As we can see here courtesy of the team’s official Twitter feed, it was a competition which United won under Van Gaal last season:
It’ll be intriguing to see how Depay fares during these early outings in the iconic red and white. He’s a player that is still a little rough around the edges and there’s no doubt he’ll need to make some refinements to the defensive side of his game, but the young Dutchman will be hoping to strike up some early links with his new team-mates.
He may be utilised as a centre-forward in these matches too, with Van Gaal hinting during preparations for the tournament that Depay could fulfil that role, per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News:
Strong performances against sides like Barcelona and PSG, friendlies or otherwise, will do plenty to raise confidence ahead of a very important season for the Red Devils. But if their refreshing new winger can hit the ground running, things will be much easier for Van Gaal as he bids to build a squad capable of challenging for major honours.
These matches will be an ideal chance to integrate new faces and tinker with styles. But the Dutchman must ensure he settles on a system and allows his preferred personnel to build momentum as a unit. Another unsettling start akin to his first season in charge and you suspect Van Gaal will quickly find himself under heavy pressure.
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