Man Utd Plot Secret Friendly Before Arsenal Clash

MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly considering a secret friendly just days before the Premier League season kicks off.

United travelled to Asia in a bizarre post-season tour in May before games in Europe and America throughout the summer.

2 Man Utd are reportedly considering a secret friendly just days before Prem season kicks off Credit: Reuters

Fiorentina's trip to Old Trafford over the weekend looked to be United's final game before kicking off their Prem season against Arsenal.

But according to The Times , the club are exploring the viability of a behind-closed-doors friendly against a local rival this week.

It would give new £74million signing Benjamin Sesko more “real world” training as he begins life in England.

Manager Ruben Amorim also has a goalkeeping decision to make.

Andre Onana is still out with a hamstring injury and faces missing the opening match of the season at Old Trafford on Sunday.

So Amorim may have to call upon Altay Bayindir - who is unproven with just FOUR appearances in the Prem.

But a friendly in private would give the United boss the chance to test out Onana's fitness.

United have been linked with signing a new keeper this summer - with Emi Martinez and Gianluigi Donnarumma among those considered.

Martinez appeared to wave goodbye to Aston Villa fans at the end of last season with his eyes on a move away.

Meanwhile Donnarumma has just one year left on his PSG deal and does not look likely to extend it - with the French champions ready to sell.

But United have spent £210million on three new forwards this summer and will need to now sell in order to add to their squad.

United signed Andre Onana in 2023 from Inter Milan for £47m after David de Gea was not offered a new deal.

De Gea later joined Fiorentina and returned to the Theatre of Dreams for a friendly - and backed United to turn things around this season.

He said: “Sometimes this is football, you can’t win all the time.

“I know it’s been some years that United struggle a bit but it’s one of the best clubs in the world.

"It’s a massive club and hopefully this year with the new signings and the manager starting a new era they can do something big and that’s it.

"Hopefully this year they can win something and be there where they deserve.”

2 David de Gea returned to Old Trafford in pre season Credit: Reuters