Manchester United: Manchester United

The games in Phillie aren't scheduled to be taken seriously. The truth is that the managers don't care about the result. On the other hand American Soccer totally lags behind in comparison.

I think it would still be fun to watch, I've never been to a professional soccer match. Even if it is just an exhibition match.

Originally posted by websurfer
The games in Phillie aren't scheduled to be taken seriously. The truth is that the managers don't care about the result. On the other hand American Soccer totally lags behind in comparison.

Of course they are taken seriously. This is the chance to show the manager what you can do. Thats why it's called pre - season. If you had read reports you would have known that one of Man U's new signings can't play, i think it's because of the olympics. Ferguson is thinking of not playing him at all now and his career at Man U could be over before it's began. Also no manager wants to lose, thats the one thing they can't stand. Be it a proper game or a pre-season game.

Pre-season games are meant to be taken very seriously websurfer for two reasons. One is that the players can get match fitness back against other top teams. The other is that the whole squad get a chance to stake a claim in the first 11 for the coming season as they don't often get the chance once it starts. Also, in the case of say Liverpool who have a new manager the players want to prove as much as possible they are worthy of a place in the side and start with a clean slate.

Obviously though because of a lack of match fitness the games might not be up to the standards we are used to in season, but it's not for a lack of effort.

Manchester United will face either Slovakia's Zilina or Romania's Dinamo Bucharest in the third qualifying round of this season's Champions League.

Manchester United's forward line should be at full strength this week as Ruud van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha are set to return to the side.

The duo, who stayed in Manchester to work on their fitness instead of going on the US tour, should face PSV Eindhoven in Tuesday's Vodafone Cup.

Diego Forlan insists he wants to stay at Manchester United and fight for a first-team place.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has denied reports linking the striker with a loan move to Spanish side Levante.

Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy ruled out for a month with a sportsman's hernia.