English Premier League club Manchester United has confirmed they are heading to Australia for a two-match pre-season tour in July.
The Red Devils will take on Tony Popovic's Melbourne Victory on Friday July 15 and then fellow EPL side Crystal Palace on Tuesday July 19.
Both matches will be staged at the iconic MCG.
Victorian Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford said news of Manchester United arriving on local shores will create a natural buzz for sports fans.
'They will be a major drawcard to attract visitors to Melbourne and encourage locals to head into the city for the games,' she said.
'This is a great opportunity to see one of the world's greatest sporting teams play in Melbourne – the nation's sporting capital.'
Manchester United have won 13 English Premier League titles and enjoy a legion of fans globally.
The club has a huge Australian following and there will be strong demand for tickets to the Red Devils' first Melbourne matches since 1999.
The tour follows the success of previous English Premier League exhibition matches, including Liverpool in 2013 and Manchester City two years later.
Any travel to Australia is complicated for unvaccinated visitors in Covid times.
If not fully jabbed, players will require a travel exemption in order to enter the country or quarantine for 14 days on arrival.
Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic was deported on the eve of the Australian Open in January when Immigration Minister Alex Hawke cancelled the Serbian's visa.
The vast majority of United's squad are believed to be vaccinated.
Nauteoyolo
1
United players in the way for preseason [Crylaugh] The earlier the better
RedDevilDownUnder
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Clueless club, their owners are just about making money off the fans....instead of fighting for top four finish they're busy fixing pre season games
Or rewarding our fans down under, Liverpool we're the last big team to come here when you's were stifling in field aswell 😂
RedDevilDownUnder
0
relegate this club to championship if then they come back to their senses
MCG holds over 100,000 people... jsit because we have supporters all over the world no reason to be salty. Can't even sell out your own stadium let alone an international one 😂
zokkmorst
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relegate this club to championship if then they come back to their senses
Planty
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😂😂😂you are so right and you are a Liverpool fan. And i see some comments here that the Australian people will see the goat . When our club is ruined who tells them CR7 will be happy seeing this . You have my respect mate from a United fan
Planty
1
Can’t wait to go make more money 🤦🏾♂️, while our rivals are planning on how to get more trophies, United is planning a tour . Why should Louis Van Gaal not call united a commercial club .Can’t this wait . What I expect to see to see is united are in talks to bring it better player and offload some of the ones we have.
Blackmamba9
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Clueless club, their owners are just about making money off the fans....instead of fighting for top four finish they're busy fixing pre season games
123mk
2
Australian people can’t wait to see the goat Cr7 🐐🔥
Sabiujr1
1
Go and entertain Australian people😋