Manchester United to play series at MCG in July
Melburnians could have their last chance to see football royalty live when Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United tour. Here’s when it will happen and how to get tickets.
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English Premier League giant Manchester United is set to tour Melbourne in a win for the city’s major events comeback.
The soccer super club will play the first in a two-match series against Melbourne Victory on Friday, July 15.
The Herald Sun can also reveal United will play fellow EPL team Crystal Palace at the MCG on July 19.
Tickets go on sale Monday, April 4 at 2pm via Ticketek.
United legend Dwight Yorke will be part of a Melbourne announcement on the coup on Thursday.
Sources close to the deal said United would only play in Melbourne on the Australian leg of the pre-season tour, with the Victorian government chipping in taxpayer funds in a bid to lure fans from interstate and overseas.
“The Victorian government will be announcing that Manchester United are returning to Melbourne for the first time in 22 years,’’ a source said. “It’s a sure fire sign that Melbourne is open to the world. Ticket demand is expected to be strong.’’
The clubs have committed to bringing their full squads.
Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo would be the headline act if picked to play in the series, soon after United cashes in on pre-season matches in Asia.
United also has players of the calibre of England players Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire, and star Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea.
“The timing of the tour lines up near the start of the official English Premier League season, so the teams are expected to bring their strongest available squads,’’ the source said.
The exact dates of the tour and ticket sale dates are expected on Thursday.
Ronaldo, who will earn an eye-watering $172m during the 2021-22 season, is no stranger to the MCG.
It would be the second time he has played on Victorian soil, following his star turn in an International Champions Cup clash against Manchester City at the MCG in 2015. The Red Devils last toured Australia in 2019 for a clash in Perth against Leeds United and played an A-League “all-stars’’ team in 2013.
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Originally published as Manchester United to play series at MCG in July
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