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Bayern Munich have been represented by some of the greatest players in history, but who makes it into our ultimate dream team?

Bayern Munich are not just the dominant force in the Bundesliga with 32 German league titles apart, but they are one of the most successful clubs in Europe as well, having won the Champions League (or European Cup before 1992) six times.

As is to be expected at a European powerhouse like Bayern, numerous superstars have worn the FCB jersey over the years.

This includes legends from the glorious 1970s such as Gerd MUller or Franz Beckenbauer, but also modern-day greats like Philip Lahm and Thomas Muller to name just a few.

But who will make it into the club's ultimate dream team?!

Getty ImagesGK: Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer found his way to Munich in 2011 under controversial circumstances. The Schalke youth product turned his back on the club of his heart to move to Bayern, something that didn't endear him to the Schalke faithful.

In terms of sporting reasons, however, it was exactly the right step. Neuer has been guarding the Bayern goal for 11 years now and has won the Bundesliga 10 times and the Champions League twice.

After Philipp Lahm's retirement, he also took over the captain's armband and thus joined a long list of great Bayern captains.

But even before Neuer there were some great keepers in the club's history like Sepp Maier and Oliver Kahn. They drew the short straw when it came to picking the ultimate Bayern Munich goalkeeper, though.

In many ways, Neuer redefined the role of a sweeper-keeper and modernised the way goalkeepers were involved in how a team plays.

And that is why he makes it into this team ahead of two stellar keepers.

Advertisementimago imagesDEF: Lothar Matthaus

Matthaus is arguably one of the greatest footballers of all time and spent a total of twelve years at Bayern, divided into two stints.

In 1984, he moved from Borussia Monchengladbach to Munich to aid the Bavarians' chase of their first domestic title since 1981.

Four years late, he moved on to Serie A, which was one of the best leagues in Europe at the time and attracted the best players. Matthaus was a huge success at Inter and even won the Ballon d'Or.

In 1992, he returned to Munich and won the 1996 UEFA Cup, but he was dramatically denied a Champions League winners medal in 1999 by Manchester United's miracle act in injury time.

imago imagesDEF: Franz Beckenbauer

The name Franz Beckenbauer inspired awe during his time. In fact, it still does.

The history of Bayern would have been very different if not for him. From 1959 to 1977, the "Kaiser" was an integral part of their squad and helped bring the club to the pinnacle of European football.

Beckenbauer led Bayern to European Cup victory three times in a row – from 1974 to 1976 and has four European Cup winners medals in total with Bayern.

He was one of the greatest defenders the sport has seen, playing as a libero who would also contribute in attack.

Later he shaped the club's future as president.

Beckenbauer rightly stands as one of the best footballers the game has ever seen.

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Getty ImagesDEF: David Alaba

The last cog in our ultimate dream team's three-man backline is a player who had a key role in the club's sucessful phase in recent times.

David Alaba has won the hearts of fans over the years and won numerous titles in a Bayern shirt.

A few weeks after his 16th birthday, Alaba moved to Munich from his youth club Austria Wien and after a six-month loan to Hoffenheim, he became a permanent fixture at Bayern.

His record in the red jersey: an incredible 28 titles. He served the club in an exemplary fashion, as a left-back, central midfielder and as a centre-back.

Though his move to Real Madrid in 2021 was not very popular with the fanbase, he makes it into our list ahead of Jerome Boateng among others.

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From slip-in pads to ground breaking flexible armoured sleeves, these are the best shin pads for footballers

For most players on the pitch, a good pair of football boots go without saying – but a fine set of shin pads is just as crucial to getting your game potential to the max.

They say the better the shin pad, the braver the player. Contrary to popular belief, shin pads are not just for protection – they can help players play more confidently as they're not afraid to get their legs broken for a challenge.

Like football boots, the shape and style of a player's shin pads come down to personal preference and can be a way to express individuality in a game where a uniform kit is worn.

We've put together some of the best you can get on the market today, dependent on what you want out of your game.

Click here to skip ahead to our round-up of the best football shin pads.

Our top three:

Best overall shin pads: adidas X League

Best budget shin pads: Mitre Deflekta

Best shin pads for ankle support: G-Form Pro-X

FAQs:What kind of shin pads are there?

These days, you will see two main types of shin pads: slip-ins or ankle shin pads. Goalkeepers require the least protection as they can use their whole body, so something lightweight is ideal.

Defenders are the target of many deft kicks and want the fullest possible coverage with the sturdiest protection. Attacking players prefer something lighter and smaller to run undetected through the defence. Meanwhile, midfielders will want something in the middle. 

Are football shin pads worn under socks?

Shin pads are traditionally worn under socks, but with the introduction of new technology – that doesn't have to be the case anymore. If you find wearing pads under your socks uncomfortable, you'll like pads with compression sleeves that hold the pads snugly and tightly in place. An alternative is sports tape which can be used on your skin to safely tape the pads in place before pulling your socks over them – for extra stability.

Can football shin pads be washed?

You can absolutely wash shin pads to remove any excess mud or dirt that may build up occasionally. Instead of throwing them in the washing machine, it's always best to wash them by hand to avoid any risk of damage. But, don't worry, it couldn't be easier. Use any detergent of your choice, or even baking soda can do the trick, with warm water and a soft brush to wash away dirt and grime. Air-dry them after that, and you're all good to go.

Shop: Best shin pads for 2023

Best overall shin padsadidas X Leagueadidas$21.99 at PRO:Direct Soccer

Encapsulating all that is great about the modern shin guard, the X League matches style with success for a well-crafted package that brings you the protection needed without any unnecessary weight to carry.

Backed by soft EVA for shock absorption and extra comfort, these shin pads curve to match the contour of your legs for flexible support. Held in place by stretchy compression sleeves, you'll never have to worry about them sliding down.

Best budget-friendly shin padsMitre DeflektaMitre£5.00 at Mitre

There's no need to overspend in pursuit of great shin pads, as these cut-price options from Mitre prove with their compact and efficient design qualities.

Made with a nifty small hardshell design locked to dual straps to ensure you can tighten the fit accordingly, they'll protect your shins from crunching challenges and weather those misplaced balls with no problem at all.

Best shin pads for ankle supportG-Form Pro-XAmazon$19.99 at Soccer.com

It's not just the shins that need protection, ankles need that reinforcement too, and this malleable G-Form effort will provide both with a clever, cushioned design that fits snugly onto your leg.

Sleek with a SmartFlex component that hardens during play to offer additional bulk against the elements, its super low-profile design makes it wonderfully unobstructed, perfect for those fast attacking plays.

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Best slip-on shin padsNike ChargeNike$14.99 at Soccer.com

A low-profile classic that keeps on delivering the goods. The Nike Charge offers simple slip-in effectiveness with old-school reinforcement, keeping you poised and ready to play instantly.

A pull-on design ensures that there will be no slippage in the heat of play, while the hardshell casing offers solid absorption. A foam back to fit the contours of your leg will provide that little bit of added assistance for those who slide in dangerously.

We independently choose all products featured on our site. We may earn a commission when you purchase something through the links provided.

Never take a pair of scissors to your kit again with these 8 pairs of great socks 🧦

Football socks don't carry the glamour that many other kit pieces do, so you're unlikely to see professional endorsements for these. But, they're vital to ensuring you stay focused on the game at hand, beat the winter chill and don't let your standards slip.

We've put together some of the best football socks you can get on the market today, depending on what you want out of your game.

Why do you need football socks?

Simply put, football socks are designed specifically with a single task in mind – to help you deliver on the pitch on matchday. Football socks are explicitly designed to enhance and support your body, aiding you in delivering a better all-around game.

Why do some players cut the feet from their socks? 

In the past few years, there has been a trend of some football players cutting the feet off of their football socks. Even in the biggest leagues in the world, top players are chopping up official kit socks.

There is reason to the madness, though. Often, it is so a pair of extra-grippy socks can be worn on the feet to stop sliding around inside football boots, while some players find wearing a whole pair of football socks restrictive because they can feel too tight on their calf muscles.

Recently, top footballing brands have caught on and designed split socks with either calf sleeves or stirrups so players can have grippy socks without taking scissors to their gear. 

Why do some players wear their socks low?

Players like Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Francesco Totti are known for wearing their socks low. This can be to the annoyance of referees and match officials when amateurs try to copy the look.

But some players with particularly muscular calves can find long, tight socks restrictive and lowering them can help relieve some of that tension. Split socks can also remedy some of that discomfort.

Shop: Best football socks

Best overall football sockNike AcademyNike£10.95 at Nike

Sometimes, all you need is the basics, and we believe that the Nike Academy is one of the best you can get, despite its deceptive simplicity. In fact, that's part of the appeal – this is a straight-up, top-of-the-table football sock with minimal fuss and plenty of invention.

Arch support with sweat-relieving design delivers a comfortable product, while its over-the-calf design allows for the full stretch and range you'd want to find on a garment like this. Throw in a reinforced heel and toe component, and it provides the cushioned balance you'll demand with no problem at all.

Best value football socksUnder Armour HeatGear CrewUnder Armour£11.00 at Under Armour

There's no need to break the bank for a pair of football socks. This Under Armour HeatGear-infused option isn't the cheapest on the market at first glance, but it comes in a three-pack, bringing great value for overall money.

Its fabric design wicks away sweat to keep your feet cool, while a Dynamic Arch design helps reduce overall fatigue across the bridge of the limb – and with a trio of pairs for the price of one elsewhere, you won't be shortchanged on your budget.

Best stirrup football socksKipsta F500Kipsta£2.49 at Decathlon

Remember when we mentioned that many players like to cut their socks to suit their personal needs? These Kipsta F500 stirrups will save you from needing to resort to your own handiwork.

Its bottom band is thin but durable, perfect for weathering the wear and tear of frequent match days without the concern that it will snap under pressure. An anatomic design will shape itself to help provide additional bone coverage against impact.

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Best football socks for gripTapeDesign GripTapeDesign£23.49 at Amazon

There's nothing worse in a big game than feeling your feet go from under you because your kit isn't quite right – but these socks from TapeDesign will ensure you stick to the soles of your boots to deliver a seamless response technique.

Rubber pads across the underfoot help generate a sturdy grip and cut the risk of accidental traction and injury. At the same time, a soft elastic finish allows further freedom of movement through the ankle and lower leg.

GOAL previews the EURO 2024 qualifier between England and Ukraine, with team news, predictions, head to head record, key players

England will be looking to make it two wins in a row at the EURO 2024 qualifiers as they take on Ukraine on Sunday.

🖥️ Where to watch England Euro 2024 qualifying games👕 England kits: Buy new jerseys & retro clobber🎟️ How to get tickets to England home & away games

Gareth Southgate's team beat reigning European champions Italy in their qualification opener. Declan Rice opened the scoring before Harry Kane broke Wayne Rooney's record to become England's all-time top scorer. They will be confident of getting three points against Ukraine although the visitors have not been easy to beat in the past.

Ukraine last played a game in September 2022 as they had missed out on a trip to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup. They have caused England trouble when the two teams met several years ago and will be hoping to take points off the Three Lions on Sunday.

GOAL previews the EURO 2024 qualifier between England and Ukraine, with team news, predictions, head-to-head record, key battles and much more below.

GettyTeam analysisEngland team news

England predicted XI

Pickford; James, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell; Henderson, Phillips, Rice; Saka, Kane, Foden.

Recent form

England registered a confidence-boosting comeback victory against defending champions Italy in their previous outing. It was a much-needed win for Southgate after the team's World Cup 2022 heartbreak.

Key players

Kane wrote his name into the history books by becoming his country's all-time leading goalscorer, surpassing Rooney's tally of 53 goals. He has been excellent for his club Tottenham as well, with 21 goals this season. Ukraine's defence will need to stop Kane if they are to get something out of this fixture.

Injuries & suspensions

Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and Nick Pope had pulled out from the England camp due to injuries and will play no part against Ukraine.

Luke Shaw was shown a red card in the game against Italy and will miss the game on Sunday. Jude Bellingham will also need to be assessed on matchday.

Tactical approach

With plenty of attacking talent at his disposal and confidence from their win over Italy, England will once again be expected to be dominant against Ukraine and bag a comfortable win.

Position Players

Goalkeepers:Jordan Pickford, Aaron RamsdaleDefenders:Ben Chilwell, Eric Dier, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle WalkerMidfielders:Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, James Maddison, Kalvin Phillips, Declan RiceForwards:Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Ivan ToneyHead-to-predictedrd

Date Result Competition

July 4, 2021Ukraine 0-4 EnglandEuro qualifierSeptember 11, 2013Ukraine 0-0 EnglandWorld Cup qualifierSeptember 12, 2012England 1-1 UkraineWorld Cup qualifierJune 20, 2012England 1-0 UkraineEuroOctober 10, 2009Ukraine 1-0 EnglandWorld Cup qualifierUkraine team news

Ukraine predicted XI

Lunin; Konoplya, Matvienko, Popov, Mykolenko; Malinovskyi, Stepanenko, Zinchenko; Tsygankov, Dovbyk, Mudryk

Recent form

Ukraine failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar. However, they lost only twice in their last 16 outings since 2021. They finished second in their UEFA Nations League group and will be confident of getting a result at the Wembley Stadium.

Key players

Chelsea's £89m man Mykhailo Mudryk will have the opportunity to be in the limelight in his first game for the country since his Premier League move. He has failed to get going with the Blues but this would be a chance to show what he's capable of.

Injuries & suspensions

For Ukraine, Bournemouth centre-back Ilya Zabarnyi will be unavailable for selection alongside midfielder Oleksandr Zubkov as they are both out injured.

Former West Ham man Andriy Yarmolenko is also out with an injury.

Tactical approach

Ukraine will aim to be solid at the back against a potentially dominant English side. They will want to use pace up front to cause issues in the final third via counter-attacks. In their own half, the defence needs to mark the in-form Harry Kane out of the game.

Position Players

Goalkeepers:Andriy Lunin, Anatoly Trubin, Dmytro RiznykDefenders:Oleksandr Karavaev, Mykola Matvienko, Yukhym Konoplia, Vitaly Mykolenko, Ilya Zabarny, Eduard Sobol, Oleksandr Svatok, Eduard SarapiyMidfielders:Taras Stepanenko, Oleksandr Zubkov, Georgy Sudakov, Artem Bondarenko, Serhii Sydorchuk, Vitaly Buyalskyi, Oleksandr Pikhalyonok, Andriy Yarmolenko, Ruslan Malinovskyi, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Viktor Tsygankov, Mykhailo Mudryk, Evgeny KonoplyankaForwards:Roman Yaremchuk, Artem DovbykAdvertisementGettyEngland vs Ukraine match previewVenue, date & kick-off time

The Euro 2024 qualifier between England and Ukraine will be played at the Wembley Stadium on Sunday, March 26. The game is scheduled to kick off at 5pm BST (1pm EDT).

Match predictions & expected outcome

England will be high on confidence heading into the game after their win over Italy. However, Ukraine has managed to hold the Three Lions to a draw twice in the last five meetings between the two teams. England's confidence and superior squad should take them across the finish line in this one.

Key battles to watch out for

We could get to see two Chelsea stars battle it out on one side of the pitch if James and Mudryk are featured. Mudryk has a point to prove at the global level at this point in his career and James is a difficult full-back to get past for any tricky winger.

Potential game changers

With 54 goals for England, Harry Kane is in terrific form for club and country. He only needs to see a small gap in defence to grab a goal and change the game. Ukraine's centre-backs will be on high alert against the Tottenham striker throughout the game.

Getty ImagesOur final thoughts on the matchEngland have failed to win against Italy twice in their last five fixtures.Kane will be high in confidence after breaking the all-time scoring record for EnglandUkraine has had some success against England in the past and will look to start 2023 with a big result.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Getty ImagesUseful links

Ukraine team page

England team page

Live football on TV in the UK

Live soccer on TV in the U.S.

Where to watch England's EURO 2024 qualifiers

The Argentine turned in a poor showing, though he wasn't the only one as Christophe Galtier's side made it three defeats in their last four home games

For 90 minutes, a lost figure strolled around the Parc des Princes. He occasionally touched the ball, but spent most of the game as an observer, watching as his side around him toiled against a team they should have comfortably beat.

That man, the near-invisible Lionel Messi, didn't seem to care as PSG slumped to a 3-1 loss against Lorient.

The visitors took the lead inside 15 minutes, with Enzo Le Fee ghosting into the box to finish a well-worked counter-attack. Things got worse for the Parisians shortly after, when Achraf Hakimi was given his marching orders after being shown a second yellow card.

PSG did equalise before half-time, as Kylian Mbappe nicked the ball off Yvon Mvogo when the Lorient goalkeeper thought play had been stopped.

Lorient's protests, though, soon turned to celebrations, as Darlone Yongwa snuck in at the back post unmarked to find net during what was a terrific performance.

PSG pushed for an equaliser in the second half, but with Messi turning in a languid showing, they didn't create much to speak of in the final 45 minutes. And they left themselves exposed on the counter, allowing Bamba Dieng to saunter through after a PSG corner and snag a third with five minutes to go.

Lorient became the first visiting team to ever win while scoring three goals at Parc des Princes in Ligue 1 since Qatar Sports Investment took over in the French capital in 2011, and PSG have now lost three of their last four home matches.

Ligue 1 could, then, get a bit interesting from here. If Marseille beat Auxerre on Sunday, the Parisians will only have a five-point lead atop the table with five games to play. And with their star man seemingly in cruise control, their stroll to the Ligue 1 title might yet be made more difficult.

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Parc des Princes…

Getty ImagesLOSER: Lionel Messi

Is Messi already thinking about a certain Spanish city?

The Argentine turned in the kind of performance familiar to PSG fans in recent weeks. He offered little going forward, and was nonexistent off the ball. There were some nice moments, including occasional nutmegs and turns of pace, but his overall impact was nowhere near enough to affect the game.

It is likely to be a lazy few weeks for Messi. PSG are still favourites to win the title, regardless of how much he impacts each contest in isolation. And with it becoming increasingly likely that he departs for Barcelona this summer — assuming the Catalan club can get their finances together — each performance is becoming something of a formality.

Onto bigger things soon, perhaps.

AdvertisementWINNER: Darline Yongwa

It takes a quality showing to be the best player on a pitch full of stars such as Messi and Mbappe, but Yongwa managed it with a near-perfect performance as a left-wing-back on Sunday.

He tucked inside out of possession to help cover Messi when the Argentine dropped in space, and put in tackles on Carlos Soler and Hakimi.

Going forward he was clinical, sneaking in at the far post to score his side's second, and his first goal of the season.

There were further impressive moments too: neat passes and marauding runs into the final third to cap off an impressive showing.

Yongwa is a natural left midfielder, and got up and down with aplomb, right when his team needed it the most.

Getty ImagesLOSER: Achraf Hakimi

Hakimi can have very little to complain about. He was booked for a silly slide tackle within the first few minutes, and shown a second yellow for an equally foolish foul shortly after.

In truth, his second caution could have warranted a straight red card in isolation.

The sending-off quashed PSG's chances on the day before they had really properly begun. Although the Parisians conceded early, they were still very much in the game — and looked dangerous on the break.

But without one of their paciest, most impactful players, they were almost void of ideas. His absence doesn't bode well for PSG's next fixture, either.

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WINNER: The title race

There's no way PSG can blow this, is there? The Parisians have an eight-point lead that could shrink to just five if Marseille win later on Sunday.

And with five games to play, it's entirely possible that things could change.

PSG do indeed have a fairly simple run of fixtures to come, with Troyes, Ajaccio and Clermont Foot likely to be relatively easy work.

But they've made the simple ones look hard this calendar year. If they continue to drop points and Marseille find a late groove, something crazy could happen.

It would be a welcome turn of events, especially after PSG appeared to be running away with it just three weeks ago. Watch this space.

Liverpool are very much in the market for midfield reinforcements this summer, with Dietmar Hamann telling GOAL what the Reds need.

Jurgen Klopp has seen his side slip from the loftiest of perches in 2022-23, with the Merseyside giants set to end the current campaign empty-handed after previously taking in Champions League, Premier League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup and Carabao Cup successes. Movement on Merseyside is expected over the coming months – in both arrival and departure lounges – with a deal for World Cup-winning Argentina international Alexis Mac Allister seemingly in the pipework with Brighton.

Reinforcements in the engine room will be a top priority, with Hamann speculating on who Liverpool could target – including a somewhat shock choice currently on the books at Newcastle – while also discussing potential budgets for Klopp and how costly failure to qualify for the Champions League could be.

GettyShopping list

Quizzed on where Liverpool need to be adding in the next transfer window, former Reds star Hamann – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “The first thing you look at is a holding midfielder. If Fabinho can reach the heights again – or close to the heights – that he has been to, then that’s done. If they are not sure, then another holding midfielder would be my priority. It is the most important position – it gives you balance, it gives you security. And, they didn’t score enough goals from midfield in recent seasons.”

AdvertisementGettyBrazilian bite

Pressed on who would be a good fit for the Reds, Hamann added: “Mac Allister is a wonderful player and I think he will be a great signing for Liverpool, but a player like Joelinton would be good. They lack a bit of physical presence, they are all very similar. You need a physical presence as well. The size of players is not everything but when you look at Newcastle, when they come out of the tunnel you think ‘Jesus, these guys are big and they can play as well’. Liverpool’s are all pretty slim, pretty small and similar – good on the ball, nifty players. They need a physical presence as well and a player of Joelinton’s stature I think would suit them very well – he can nick a goal, is physical, good on the ball. I would like to see a bit more difference between the midfielders.”

Getty ImagesTop-four failings

Liverpool’s inability to secure a top-four finish this season may come back to haunt them, with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice – who have all been linked with the Reds – seemingly destined to head elsewhere.

Hamann said of missing out on the Champions League: “It certainly doesn’t help. You miss out on quite a bit of money, because you have guaranteed income if you go to the Champions League. And players want to play in the Champions League. I think Liverpool is still a big enough pull for people to say ‘I don’t mind playing Europa League football for one season because we’ll be back next year’, but other players might think ‘there is no guarantee we finish in the top four next season’ and you don’t want to go to a club for four years and only play in the Europa League for three seasons.”

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Getty ImagesEarly deals

Hamann added on how Klopp and Co can counter their lack of elite European football by moving quickly for top targets: “Everyone wants to play in the Champions League. It doesn’t help and I think that’s why it’s important to sign a Mac Allister, a Rice pretty quickly because if you sign a big player, or a big name, it makes it quite a bit easier. For example, if Rice and Mac Allister both come, if you approach players then they will think ‘well, we’ll certainly finish in the top four and we might have a chance for the title’. It’s important to sign someone quickly because it makes it easier with those to follow.”

Everything you need to know about Man Utd's pre-season ahead of the 2023-24 campaign

Manchester United's pre-season campaign is in full swing. After an encouraging 2-0 win over Leeds in Oslo thanks to goals from youngsters Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill, Erik ten Hag's side are preparing to play Lyon next in Edinburgh on July 19.

The Red Devils will then head to the United States for the first time in five years as part of their preparations for the 2023-24 season. After a thrilling first campaign in charge of the Red Devils that saw the team lift their first trophy in six years and finish third in the Premier League, Ten Hag will be hoping to lay even stronger foundations for his second season at Old Trafford.

In their first stateside trip since 2018, United face a blockbuster all-Premier League clash, two matches against Champions League heavyweights and an eye-catching fixture against a lower league side they have not played since 1995.

After United return from the United States, they will host Lens – Raphael Varane's boyhood club – at Old Trafford before rounding off their campaign in Dublin against Athletic Bilbao.

Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about Man United's pre-season tour, including how to buy tickets, where to watch games, squad details and more.

GettyMan Utd pre-season 2023 fixtures and results

Date Game Kick-off time Venue

July 12Manchester United 2-0 Leeds8am PT / 11AM ET / 4pm BSTUllevaal StadionJuly 19Manchester United 1-0 Lyon6am PT / 9am ET / 2pm BSTBT Murrayfield, EdinburghJuly 22Manchester United 2 (5)-0 (3) Arsenal2pm PT / 5pm ET / 10pm BSTMetLife Stadium, New York, NYJuly 26Manchester United 1-3 Wrexham7:30pm PT / 10:30pm ET / 3:30am BST (Jul 26)Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CAJuly 27Manchester United 2-0 Real Madrid 4pm PT / 7pm ET / 12am BSTNGR Stadium, Houston, TXJuly 31Manchester United 2-3 Borussia Dortmund6pm PT / 9pm ET / 2am BST (Jul 31)Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NVAugust 5Manchester United 3-1 Lens8am PT / 11am ET / 4pm BST Old Trafford, ManchesterAugust 6Manchester United 1-1 Athletic Bilbao8am PT / 11am ET / 4pm BSTAviva Stadium, Dublin

Manchester United began their pre-season campaign in Norway with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Leeds on July 12 at Ullevaal Stadium in a game where £55m signing Mason Mount made his Red Devils debut.

They then beat Lyon 1-0 on Wednesday afternoon, with Donny van de Beek scoring the only goal of the contest early in the second-half.

Ten Hag's men continued their perfect start to pre-season by kicking off their stateside tour with a 2-0 victory against Arsenal at the Met Life Stadium in New York on July 22. Interestingly, the game in New Jersey saw the two clubs not just face off in a 90-minute friendly, but also a post-game penalty shootout that saw United prevail 5-3, with Ten Hag’s side converting all of their spot-kicks.

However, United will be disappointed to have lost a split-squad double-header, with their reserves falling to a 3-1 defeat to Wrexham, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, at the Snapdragon Stadium in California. A day later, the first team suffered a similar fate, losing 2-0 to Real Madrid in Houston.

The Red Devils then concluded their pre-season tour of the United States with 3-2 defeat against Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas.

But their pre-season preparations weren't over just there. They returned to Old Trafford to beat Raphael Varane's boyhood club RC Lens 3-1 on August 5 with a strong first-team, before a young side held La Liga giants Athletic Bilbao to a 1-1 draw in Dublin on August 6 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMan Utd pre-season 2023 tickets

Tickets for Man United's 2023 pre-season tour of the United States are available to buy now. You can purchase through the links below, subject to availability.

Manchester United vs Arsenal ticketsManchester United vs Leeds ticketsManchester United vs Lyon ticketsManchester United vs Real Madrid ticketsManchester United vs Athletic BilbaoManchester United vs Wrexham ticketsManchester United vs Borussia Dortmund ticketsGettyHow to watch and stream Man Utd's 2023-24 pre-season tour

All matches will be live on MUTV, either through United's official website or the club's official app.

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Getty ImagesMan Utd 2023-24 pre-season tour squad

Erik ten Hag named his 31-man travelling squad for Manchester United's pre-season tour of the United States, with familiar names such as Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and £55m summer signing Mason Mount included.

Andre Onana has also completed a permanent move from Inter Milan to Old Trafford, and the Cameroonian is expected to join the club at a later period. Youngsters Radek Vitek, Dan Gore, Kobbie Mainoo, Alvaro Fernandez and Omari Forson are also named in the squad.

Fred is missing from the squad due to a "personal issue." The Brazil international has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer, with Fulham among the clubs who are keen on a deal, but he "is expected to join up with the rest of the squad shortly."

There is also no Rhys Bennett or Tyrell Malacia due to injury, while Eric Bailly has also been left out, with the centre-back set to leave Old Trafford this summer. The same is true for Alex Telles, who is on the verge of completing a move to Al-Nassr.

Goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who is pushing to seal a permanent move to Nottingham Forest, has also been selected for the travelling party. Mason Greenwood, however, has not been named in the squad as the 21-year-old's internal investigation is still ongoing.

Position

Players

Goalkeepers:

Bishop, Heaton, Henderson, Vitek

Defenders:

Dalot, A. Fernandez, Lindelof, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Varane, Wan-Bissaka, Williams

Midfielders:

Amad, Antony, Casemiro, Eriksen, B. Fernandes, Gore, Hannibal, Mainoo, McTominay, Mount, Pellistri, Sancho, Van de Beek

Forwards:

Elanga, Forson, Garnacho, Martial, Rashford

Santiago Gimenez could be on his way out of Feyenoord after an impressive 2022-23 campaign.

Striker led Feyenoord to Eredivisie glory and lifted Gold Cup with MexicoHas been linked with Atletico Madrid and BenficaHas an ongoing contract and will not be available on the cheapGetty ImagesWhat happened?

Santiago Gimenez has suggested he could be on the move ahead of the 2023-24 campaign amid interest from Atletico Madrid and Benfica.

The striker fired Mexico to Gold Cup glory on Sunday and will be departing on holiday next, but not before sparking uncertainty over his future at Feyenoord.

"I am going to go on holiday first and then we will see what happens," the 22-year-old told after being asked about his future in the wake of his Gold Cup heroics.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe bigger picture

Benfica are in the market for a new striker due to the ongoing uncertainty about the future of Goncalo Ramos (pictured), who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United.

Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, are looking to add some depth to their attack to supplement the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Memphis Depay and Alvaro Morata.

GettyAnd what's more

Gimenez has enjoyed a stellar 2022-23 campaign during which he not just made a name for himself in Europe, but also became a key figure for the national team after missing out on a spot in Mexico's World Cup squad.

The striker 23 goals in 45 appearances for Feyenoord to help them lift the Eredivisie title, while they also reached the semi-finals of the KNVB Beker and the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

He then capped his fine campaign with two goals in six Gold Cup appearances for Mexico, including the only goal of the game in the 1-0 final win over Panama.

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Did you know?

The attacker was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but has opted to represent Mexico at international level.

He has a contract with Feyenoord until June 20226 and is currently valued at $28 million.

The Dutch coach already appears to be on borrowed time, but the Red Devils' most glaring problems are deep-rooted

Manchester United are in crisis – again. Erik ten Hag's side just about managed to avoid humiliation against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, but their weaknesses across the pitch were laid bare once again during the 4-3 defeat at Allianz Arena.

The Red Devils have now lost four of their opening six matches in 2023-24, which marks their worst start to a campaign across all competitions in 36 years. They've also conceded three or more goals in three consecutive games for the first time since 1978, and 14 overall – more than any other Premier League side.

Ten Hag's first season at Old Trafford was deemed a success after United followed up winning the Carabao Cup by finishing third in the league, but they have gone backwards since then, despite spending over £200 million ($246m) in the summer transfer window.

It is a continuation of the vicious cycle that no manager has been able to break in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, with temporary waves of optimism quickly giving way to despair and frustration. Ten Hag certainly deserves the same level of criticism that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal and David Moyes received after recent results, but he has also been fighting a losing battle in the dressing room.

Getty Images'No good culture'

Ten Hag has done his best to stamp his authority on the United squad since arriving at the club, dropping Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho when they failed to meet his high standards.

"It is my job to control the standards," the Dutchman said of his hard-line approach last week. "Strict lines is what the club asked me because there was no good culture before I entered last season. Of course, it is never someone only makes one mistake, it is a whole process before you come to a certain outcome about strict lines. If staff or players or whoever, there is a structure to cross lines so you have to be strong."

The problem is, it no longer appears to be working. Ten Hag's comments came on the back of a public row with Sancho, who has been exiled from the squad for the second time in the past year for his supposed underperformance in training.

The rest of the players failed to react in a positive manner, losing 3-1 at home to a Brighton side that cost a fraction of the malfunctioning one assembled by Ten Hag. That result was no more of a surprise than United's latest defeat at the hands of Bayern.

AdvertisementGettyToo easy to play against

United did at least go down with a fight against Bayern, but the Bundesliga champions were far from at their best. They scored four goals – and could have added at least one or two more – without ever really getting out of second gear.

Ten Hag's team are simply too easy to play against. The former Ajax boss said as much after a 2-0 loss away at Tottenham on August 19, telling reporters: "They [Spurs] were nowhere, nothing, and then things happened in the game, then they got distracted, not doing their jobs anymore. They didn't run. Or they run in the wrong moment, too late. Especially the front [players] didn't recover."

That lack of running was also one of the main reasons for United's downfall at the Allianz Arena, and indeed against Brighton last weekend. Their defensive discipline has gone out the window.

It's painfully evident that the players are no longer giving their all for Ten Hag. Bad luck with injuries has played a part in United's poor form, but that is no excuse for anyone to be downing tools.

Getty'Bugs in the dressing room'

There have been regular reports of discontent behind the scenes at Old Trafford in recent years, leading to question marks over whether certain players have been guilty of leaking information to the press. The likes of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard were accused of being dressing room moles amid Ralf Rangnick's ill-fated spell as interim manager, but the leaks have persisted since their respective departures from the club last year.

Indeed, after United's latest Premier League loss to Brighton, reported that four players were involved in a heated bust-up. It was said that Bruno Fernandes confronted Scott McTominay, while defensive duo Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof pointed the finger of blame at each other over defensive errors.

The club has reportedly denied these claims, but United legend Gary Neville is worried that the situation will only get worse. He appeared to suggest that Ten Hag might have inadvertently brought it on himself, too, with his handling of Sancho and Maguire – who was stripped of his captaincy duties in July.

"How popular are Sancho and Maguire in the dressing room?" Neville said in his latest podcast for . "He's got some bugs in there that we don't know from the outside, what discomfort and uncertainty is being created on the inside.

"You've got a player at the moment who is probably changing in the first-team dressing room but obviously over with the academy. You've got Maguire, who has been captain of these players 12 months ago, now almost alienated as third, fourth, fifth centre-half. He's got some situations in there I don't know the damage that's having.

"I don't think Ten Hag will change. What I'm hoping at the moment is it's just a difficult start to the season and it's not a repeat of what we've seen previously. We've seen it becoming challenging for Jose Mourinho, for Louis van Gaal, for David Moyes, for obviously Ralf Rangnick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. So I hope it is not the beginning of that."

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Getty Images'Disease of modern football'

There are plenty of parallels to be drawn between the start of Ten Hag's second season at United and Solskjaer's last, which saw him lose his job after just 12 games. The Norwegian seemed to be heading in the right direction after a runners'-up finish in the Premier League and a Europa League final appearance in 2021-22, which he followed up by signing Sancho, Raphael Varane and Ronaldo.

But collective performances then took a major nosedive, and the board were forced into action after a shocking 4-1 loss against Watford. If Ten Hag is not careful, he could share a similar fate to Solskjaer, who has spoken out on the weak mentality of the squad.

"Some weren't as good as their own perception of themselves," the former United boss said in an explosive interview with . "When you have a group you need everyone to pull in the same direction. When things didn't go right, you could see certain players and egos came out."

Solskjaer added: "Some players felt they should’ve played more and weren’t constructive to the environment. That’s a huge sin for me. When I didn’t start games I wanted to prove to the manager he’d made the wrong decision. Now, a lot of players aren’t like that. Agents and family members get into their heads and tell them they’re better than they are because they have a vested interest. It’s a disease of modern football."

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro sustained an ankle injury while on international duty with Brazil this week.

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Article continues below

Midfielder featured for BrazilAsked to be taken off late in gameCoach confirmed ankle issueWHAT HAPPENED?

The 31-year-old was in action for the Selecao as they drew 1-1 with Venezuela in World Cup qualifying. However, Casemiro was taken off with just over 10 minutes to go as coach Fernando Diniz made three substitutes in one go late on.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The injury blow exacerbates a tough week for the ex-Real Madrid star, who was taken off at half-time in United's recent 2-1 win against Brentford due to his woeful performance.

But coach Erik ten Hag will be hoping the veteran player will not be ruled out for a long period as he is already without the likes of Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Amad Diallo.

WHAT THEY SAID

He told : "We had a lot of control when [the three substitutions] came on. Casemiro asked to come off due to a blow to his ankle."

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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

It is not yet known if Casemiro will be involved when Brazil face Uruguay on October 18. Otherwise, he will return to United and hope to be in shape to feature take on Sheffield United on October 21.