Cristiano Ronaldo could be heading to Perth. We're hearing Manchester United could return to Optus Stadium in July for a blockbuster clash with Aston Villa.
Manchester United is likely to give the go-ahead for its pre-season tour to Australia this summer, with the club certain that there will be no stumbling obstacles for any unvaccinated players thanks to travel exemptions secured for those who require them.
Despite the fact that strict vaccination requirements remain in place, Manchester United are confident that they will be able to field a strong team for the Australian part of their pre-season tour.
United is expected to release details of their first trip in three years on Thursday, which will include a match against Liverpool in Bangkok on July 12.
The team will next travel to Australia, where they will be led by a new manager. Melbourne and Perth have both been mentioned as possible venues for up to three friendlies.
Manchester United, an English Premier League powerhouse, could return to Optus Stadium in July for the second time in three years in a blockbuster versus Aston Villa, another English Premier League great.
It would provide spectators with the opportunity to see one of the world's best players, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, captain a star-studded United team.
The match is scheduled to be part of a Sydney-based sports and entertainment group's Asian tour, which will include games versus Villa and Melbourne Victory in Melbourne.
Manchester United's chief operations officer Collette Roche said, "Our matches in Melbourne will be a tremendous opportunity for international fans to watch their favorite players up close in a thrilling schedule of games."
Fans back in the stands
Manchester United is expected to draw massive audiences to the MCG, as it did on its last visit to Australia in 2019. United has a star-studded squad that includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, and Harry Maguire.
Between its two matches in Perth, United drew over 100,000 supporters, but if recent visits to the MCG by other Premier League clubs are any indication, they'll likely draw much more this time.
When Manchester City and Real Madrid played at the MCG in 2015, a total of 99,382 people attended, while more than 95,000 people watched Liverpool face Melbourne Victory two years prior.
Unvaccinated travellers to Australia, on the other hand, must get a travel exemption or be quarantined for 14 days in order to enter the nation.
United has stated that they are at ease with the scenario four months before the tour begins. It's thought that the vast majority of their team has been vaccinated.
The Bangkok Century Cup pits Liverpool against United at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Thailand. The two have previously met in preseason, with the most recent meeting taking place in Michigan four years ago in front of nearly 100,000 fans.
United is back to the Far East after a journey that brought them to China, Singapore, and Australia in 2019.
Officials from United are in Melbourne for the launch on Thursday, with the Perth game expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.
In front of 50,206 people, United defeated Glory 2-0, and another 55,274 witnessed them thrash Leeds 4-0 in the second game.
Then, with a massive defensive effort, Glory coach Tony Popovic plotted an onslaught that kept United scoreless for an hour.
In Melbourne in 1999, United faced the Socceroos, while in Sydney in 2013, they faced the A-League All Stars.
Return to training
After taking a break during the international break, Cristiano Ronaldo and his Manchester United colleagues have returned to training.
The Red Devils haven't played since losing to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League at Old Trafford, thereby ending their chances of winning silverware this season. Their main focus now will be on securing a place in next season's competition, with Ralf Rangnick's side facing an uphill battle to catch Arsenal, who are presently in fourth place.
Ronaldo starred in United's most recent Premier League match, scoring a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Tottenham. The 37-year-old arrived in a Bentley worth £144,000 for training. When they face Leicester City on Saturday, he and his colleagues will be hoping to keep up the pace.