Manchester United announce 2019 pre-season tour of Australia

Manchester United have announced the first fixtures of next summer’s preseason tour. The Reds will travel to Perth, Australia as part of Tour 2019, to face Perth Glory and old rivals Leeds United.

The two fixtures, the first of United’s 2019 tour schedule to be announced, will take place at the Optus Stadium, Perth, with the club taking on Perth Glory on Saturday 13 July and Leeds United on Wednesday 17 July.

Because Leeds have been so gleefully rubbish in recent years, it will be the first time the clubs have faced each other since 2011. It will be United’s first visit to Perth since 1975. Extended summer trips to far-flung locales to face lower tier opposition have little to no sporting value, and this latest trip will no doubt handicap Mauricio Pochettino’s José Mourinho’s preparations in some way or another. Still, perhaps Ed Woodward can continue proving his worth to his bosses by using the time down under to sign up an official boomerang partner. Said Woodward:

“Our pre-season tour is an integral part of the squad’s preparation for the forthcoming season and after what will be a forty-four year absence since we last played in Perth, we are delighted to be returning to Western Australia to play not just one, but two games against Perth Glory and Leeds United.

“As well as preparing for the season ahead, the club will also have the opportunity to engage with our loyal fans in Australia, who last got the chance to see us play in Sydney in 2013.”

Sure, Ed. If nothing else, at least the fans in Perth will have an opportunity to pay too much for a mediocre product, just like everyone else.