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Man United will play a pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid in Oslo

  /  autty

Manchester United have revealed that Erik ten Hag's squad will play a pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid ahead of the 2022-2023 campaign.

The fixture between the two European giants will take place at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo on Saturday July 30 at 14:00 local time.

The pre-season friendly against the LaLiga giants will take place after Manchester United's tour of Thailand and Australia.

Speaking about the pre-season friendly, Manchester United's football director, John Murtough, said: 'Pre-season is such an important part of the squad's preparations for the season ahead.

'Our players and coaching staff will be relishing the opportunity to play against such a high-calibre opponent in Atletico Madrid, as well as the chance to perform in front of a full stadium of passionate Norwegian fans.'

While United's chief operating officer, Collette Roche, added: 'Manchester United has a deep and long-standing relationship with Norway and we are delighted to be returning to play at the Ullevaal Stadium this summer.

'Our visit will coincide with the 40th anniversary of our official Norwegian supporters' club, reflecting the strength of support we have in the country.

'We know that both our locally based and travelling fans will provide a great reception for the team.'

The announcement came shortly after the news broke that Manchester United would not be playing any pre-season friendlies in England this summer.

Preston North End company director Peter Risdale revealed that Ten Hag was against playing any friendlies in the UK before jetting off to the Far East.

Therefore, United fans will have to wait until August 6 - the start of the 2022-2023 Premier League season - to see the Dutch manager in action.

The Red Devils players were due to be back in for pre-season training on July, 4, but is now understood ten Hag wants his players to report back on June, 20 to get them in shape ahead of the start of the Premier League season.

The former Ajax manager watched Manchester United's last few games of the 2021-2022 season and was said to be unimpressed by the fitness levels of the squad.

The 52-year-old believes a handful of Manchester United's defeats this season could have been avoid if the team was fitter. Therefore, he will look to work on their aerobic capacity next month.

United will also work on their tactics and general match play by facing Australia and the Far East in their first pre-season friendly tour for three years.