Manchester United tipped to meet Melbourne Victory as part of Australian tour

Manchester United is expected to return to Australia for the first time since 2019 for a tour that could include matches against A-League opposition.

Bruno Fernandes (left) celebrates after scoring against Brighton on Wednesday morning. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Global football giant Manchester United is set to tour Australia this year, with Melbourne Victory among the Red Devils’ mooted opponents.

According to The Athletic, United will meet fellow English Premier League club Crystal Palace at a yet-to-be confirmed Australian venue in July.

However, News Corp Australia understands Melbourne is the likely host city for the match, and that United will also take on Victory while in Victoria.

Sources have also suggested United could play up to four matches in Australia.

United’s pre-season tour will also reportedly include another match against Palace in Singapore, as well as a clash with Liverpool in Thailand on July 12.

A Victory spokesman claimed the club was unaware of the potential match against United.

“But we are always interested in playing against world-class opposition, particularly a club of Manchester United’s ilk,” he said.

Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper, David de Gea, could be in Australia in July. Picture: Paul Ellis / AFP

News Corp also approached the Victorian government and the MCC – responsible for management and development of the Melbourne Cricket Ground – for comment, but is still awaiting responses.

United was in 2019 named the world’s most popular football club, with a worldwide fan and follower base of 1.1 billion, according to global market research agency Kantar.

United’s current squad includes world football great Cristiano Ronaldo, star French pair Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane, Spanish international goalkeeper David de Gea and English stars Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho.

The Red Devils last toured Australia in 2019 when they played Perth Glory and Leeds United.

Crystal Palace, whose manager is former Arsenal great Patrick Vieira, was set to tour Australia in 2020 for matches against West Ham and Brisbane, before the trip was cancelled due to the ramifications of Covid-19.

Originally published as Manchester United tipped to meet Melbourne Victory as part of Australian tour