Manchester City was just the first obstacle, but Manchester United has plenty of difficult opponents down the road. Arguably the toughest team they will face in their North American adventure is Real Madrid, the back-to-back winner of the Champions League. The Spanish side begins the ICC campaign with this fixture and has brought the best players to California.
Cristiano Ronaldo in the Spotlight
The Portuguese striker is once again expected to carry Real Madrid to victory after a stellar season in all competitions. Ronaldo will play against his former team once again and Manchester United fans are sure to have mixed reactions. Cristiano is a deadly player in front of the net and the English side has shown chronic weakness against incisive teams.
Real Madrid is not going to play it safe and settle for one point, as they have an impeccable track record at the International Champions Cup. There are no injury concerns for the Spanish side, so Cristiano Ronaldo will be well supported upfront. The starting formation for the Spanish team will feature three strikers, so they clearly travel to California with the intention to claim all three points.
Defensive Lineup for Manchester United
Mourinho is a manager capable to recognize strength when he sees it and Real Madrid is a formidable football machine. In the match played at Levi’s Stadium, Manchester United will make certain changes in the starting formation. Compared to the team used against their city rivals, they will strengthen the midfield and backline. The goal is to prevent the Spanish outfit from scoring an early goal.
Manchester United will give the Champions League winners a run for their money, but ultimately they are unlikely to stop them. Real Madrid is the better team overall and with motivation at its highest, it should make short work of Manchester United. bet365 Sports offers amazing odds of 11/10 on them to win, which is great value for punters.