Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Rangersvs.Man Utd

sportsmole.co.uk, 18 July 2024, 13:42
Manchester United will continue their preparations for the 2024-25 campaign with a pre-season friendly against Scottish giants Rangers in Edinburgh on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Devils suffered a 1-0 loss to Rosenborg in their opening pre-season fixture on Monday, while Rangers were beaten 2-1 by Ajax in their first friendly of the summer last weekend.

Match preview

Man United head coach Erik ten Hag was critical of his side's performance against Rosenborg on Monday, with the Red Devils needing their goalkeeper Radek Vitek to keep the score down, while the Norwegian outfit also hit the woodwork on four separate occasions before registering the winner in the final exchanges.

The 20-time English champions will continue their preparations for the new season against Rangers on Saturday before heading to the United States for their pre-season tour, which will involve glamour friendlies against Arsenal, Real Betis and Liverpool.

Man United will then take on Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 10 before opening their new Premier League season against Fulham six days later.

Joshua Zirkzee has been confirmed as the club's first signing of the INEOS era, and he is set to be followed to Old Trafford by Leny Yoro, with a deal for the 18-year-old close to completion.

Man United finished eighth in the Premier League last season - their worst-ever display in the competition's current format - but they qualified for the group stage of the 2024-25 Europa League courtesy of their 2-1 success over Man City in the FA Cup final at the end of May.

Ten Hag is staying, with the Dutchman seeing his contract extended until June 2026, but there is huge pressure on the 54-year-old to oversee a big improvement during the coming season.

Rangers, meanwhile, started their preparations for the 2024-25 campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Ajax last weekend, with Tom Lawrence on the scoresheet for the Scottish giants.

Philippe Clement's side will face Man United, Birmingham City and Union Berlin in their final three friendlies of the summer before opening their 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season against Hearts on August 3.

Rangers finished second in the Scottish Premiership last term, eight points behind the champions Celtic, but they did manage to win the Scottish League Cup and were also present in the last-16 stage of the Europa League.

The Gers have been busy this summer in terms of both incomings and outgoings, with their biggest arrival proving to be Mohamed Diomande from Nordsjaelland.

Rangers have tackled Man United on four previous occasions in competitive matches, with all of those fixtures taking place in the Champions League, and the English giants have triumphed three times, including a 1-0 success when the pair last locked horns in November 2010.

Rangers friendly form:

L

Manchester United friendly form:

L

Team News

Rangers were given a huge boost in their clash with Ajax last time out, as Danilo returned to action for the first time since picking up a serious knee injury last December.

Head coach Clement is again expected to select a strong XI for the first whistle before making changes at the interval, so the likes of Jack Butland, Connor Goldson, Diomande and Lawrence should be in the side.

Connor Barron is another new arrival this summer, making the move to Ibrox from Aberdeen, and the 21-year-old should be given the nod in central midfield.

Cyriel Dessers scored 22 times for Rangers during an impressive 2023-24 campaign, and the 28-year-old is expected to feature in the final third of the field, but James Tavernier, Todd Cantwell and Nico Raskin will miss the contest due to injury problems.

As for Man United, Altay Bayindir, Diogo Dalot, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri remain unavailable for selection due to international commitments over the summer.

Tyrell Malacia is not yet available, as he works his way back from a serious knee injury, but Harry Maguire could be fit, while Andre Onana, Victor Lindelof, Amad Diallo and Antony could feature, having been left out of the squad for the game with Rosenborg last time out.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jonny Evans, Casemiro, Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford were the five senior players to start on Monday, but the former might not be involved, as he is currently being linked with West Ham United.

Scott McTominay is back in first-team training and should feature, while Jadon Sancho could also be in the squad, having patched-up his differences with Ten Hag.

Once again, a number of young players should be given opportunities to impress, with Harry Amass, Toby Collyer and Ethan Wheatley expected to be involved.

However, Zirkzee will not feature, as the Netherlands international is having a break before linking up with his new teammates due to his involvement in Euro 2024.

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Butland; Nsiala, Goldson, Balogun, Jefte; Diomande, Barron; Dowell, Lawrence, Wright; Dessers

Manchester United possible starting lineup:

Onana; Ogunneye, Fish, Evans, Amass; Casemiro, Mount, McTominay; Antony, Wheatley, Rashford

We say: Rangers 1-2 Manchester United

It is always difficult to know exactly what to expect in terms of scorelines for pre-season fixtures, but Man United should have a stronger squad than the one that travelled to Norway.

As a result, we are tipping the 20-time English champions to record a narrow victory over Rangers before heading to the United States for their pre-season tour.

Previews by email
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Dag & Redvs.West Ham
West Ham United continue their pre-season preparations with a friendly against non-league outfit Dagenham and Redbridge at the Chigwell Construction Stadium on Saturday.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Wrexhamvs.Bournemouth
The Harder Stadium in California hosts Bournemouth's first friendly of the pre-season period, as the Cherries pit their wits against League One new boys Wrexham in Santa Barbara.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Real Madrid confirm deal for 32-year-old as Carlo Ancelotti's squad takes shape
Real Madrid have confirmed that Lucas Vazquez has extended his contract at Bernabeu until June 2025.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Botafogovs.Internacional
Table-topping Botafogo seek a fourth straight triumph at Estadio Nilton Santos when they host off-form Internacional in round 18's Brasileiro clash on Saturday.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Man United's proposed move for 24-year-old is said to be "open but not imminent"
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has said that Manchester United's proposed move for Matthijs de Ligt has been placed on hold while the club focus on outgoings.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
AFC Wimbledonvs.Brentford
In their first of five summer friendly battles, Premier League mainstays Brentford travel to Plough Lane for a date with AFC Wimbledon on Saturday afternoon.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
West Bromvs.Peterborough
West Bromwich Albion take on Peterborough United in a behind-closed-doors friendly at St. George's Park on Saturday as both teams continue their pre-season schedule.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
When will Man United complete Leny Yoro deal? How much will he cost?
Manchester United are reportedly hoping to announce Leny Yoro's arrival from Lille by the end of play on Friday.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Leicester City 'joined' by West Ham United, Roma in race for Juventus star
Leicester City have reportedly submitted a €25m (£21m) bid for Juventus attacker Matias Soule.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Rapid Viennavs.AC Milan
The Paulo Fonseca era commences on Saturday for Italian heavyweights AC Milan, who head to Austria to meet Rapid Vienna in their opening pre-season friendly.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
QPRvs.Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur travel to Loftus Road for Saturday's pre-season friendly against Queens Park Rangers on the back of a 5-1 thumping of Hearts, where Ange Postecoglou sent out two different teams for each half.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
QPRvs.Spurs
Both out to maintain perfect pre-season records, London rivals Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur clash in a Loftus Road friendly on Saturday afternoon.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Flamengovs.Criciuma
Flamengo head into gameweek 18 in the Brasileiro keen to arrest an ongoing wobble when they host Criciuma at Arena BRB Mane Garrincha on Saturday.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Olympic football 2024: Best men's and women's players taking part in Paris Games
While the European Championships and Copa America are now on hiatus for another four years, a spectacular summer of football continues with the imminent men's and women's Paris 2024 Olympics competitions.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Aston Villa transfer news: Birmingham 'interested' in former starlet
Aston Villa are reportedly expected to be presented with the opportunity to loan a player to fierce rivals Birmingham City.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Banfieldvs.Tucuman
Atletico Tucuman will be bidding to stretch their unbeaten run of form in the Argentine Primera Division to four matches when they continue their domestic campaign away to Banfield on Saturday night.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Philadelphia5 - 1New England
Cavan Sullivan has become the youngest Major Soccer League player in history after making his senior debut for Philadelphia Union in Wednesday's 5-1 victory over New England Revolution at Subaru Park in Pennsylvania.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Wolves transfer news: Huddersfield Town 'in talks' to loan prospect
Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly preparing to facilitate another loan for one of their prospects.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Transfer news and rumours: Osimhen to Paris Saint-Germain, Reus to Los Angeles Galaxy, Barry to Birmingham City
Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly becoming increasingly confident of securing a deal for Napoli's Victor Osimhen.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Arsenal's £42.1m defender move 'on hold' due to sell-on clause issue
Arsenal's pursuit of highly-rated Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori has reportedly hit a snag due to a sell-on clause dispute between Bologna and Basel.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Man United 'baffle' Everton with £62m defender agreement after Branthwaite failure
Everton have reportedly been left shocked at Manchester United's willingness to fork out £62m for Lille centre-back Leny Yoro after conceding defeat in their pursuit of Jarrad Branthwaite.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Chelsea transfer news: PSG to beat Blues to £84.1m striker deal?
Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly growing increasingly confident of winning the race to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, despite interest from Chelsea.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Thursday's Transfer Talk Update: Leny Yoro, Jarrad Branthwaite, Aaron Wan-Bissaka
The transfer window is open! Clubs around the UK and Europe are getting business done as they look to give themselves the best possible chance at success in the new season.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Thursday's Copa Sudamericana predictions including Palestino vs. Cuiaba
Palestino vs. Cuiaba (Thursday, 11.00pm) Thursday's Copa Sudamericana knockout fixtures begin with Palestino welcoming Cuiaba to Estadio Ester Roa in the opening leg of that round of 32 clash. A 3-1 defeat versus Bolivar on the final matchday of their Copa Libertatores campaign relegated the Chileans into this tournament, while Dourado finished second in Group G of the Sudamericana, defeating Lanus 1-0 in their final group contest.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Thursday's Argentine Primera Division predictions including Instituto vs. Independiente
Argentinos Jrs vs. Tigre (Thursday, 10.45pm) Argentinos Juniors aim to continue their unblemished home record in the Argentine Primera Division when they host Tigre at Estadio Diego Armando Maradona on Thursday. Seven points and 17 places separate both clubs heading into the gameweek six encounter, and the winless visitors aim to get maximum points on board in the imminent round of games.
18 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Thursday's Europa League predictions including Maribor vs. Botev Plovdiv
KF Llapi vs. Wisla Krakow (Thursday, 3.30pm) KF Llapi will aim to overturn their first-leg defeat when they host Wisla Krakow at the Stadiumi i Qytetit in the Europa League first qualifying round second leg on Thursday. The Kosovan side fell to a 2-0 loss when the two sides matched up in Poland in last week's opening fixture, leaving Thursday's visitors in the driving seat.
17 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Nordsjaellandvs.AaB
Newly-promoted Aalborg BK get underway in the 2024-25 Danish Superliga campaign when they visit the Right to Dream Park to take on Nordsjaelland in the opening gameweek on Friday.
17 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
England
World Cup winner Joachim Low is reportedly interested in becoming the new England manager.
17 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Man United 'reject' Fulham transfer bid for 27-year-old
Manchester United have reportedly turned down a bid from Fulham for midfielder Scott McTominay.
17 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Aarhusvs.Midtjylland
Danish champions FC Midtjylland get their Superliga title defence underway when they journey to the Ceres Park Arena to face Aarhus in the season curtain-raiser on Friday.
17 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Siriusvs.Malmo
Round 15 of the 2024 Swedish Allsvenskan season commences with a meeting between Sirius and Malmo at the Studenternas IP on Friday.
17 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Karim Adeyemi breaks silence on Dortmund future amid Liverpool, Chelsea links
Karim Adeyemi has addressed his Borussia Dortmund future amid reported interest from Liverpool and Chelsea.
17 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Hearts1 - 5Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou provided a humorous response when asked about reports linking him to the England job.
17 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Olympic football 2024 Group D predictions, standings, fixtures, results: Japan, Paraguay, Mali, Israel
Four nations from four different federations will battle it out in what could prove to be a wide-open Group D at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
17 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Olympic football 2024 Group B predictions, standings, fixtures, results: Argentina, Morocco, Iraq, Ukraine
Argentina's senior side have become a dominant force on the international stage having won the 2022 World Cup and back-to-back Copa America titles, but can their youngsters continue the country's success at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games?
17 July 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Olympic football 2024 Group A predictions, standings, fixtures, results: France, USA, Guinea, New Zealand
The weight of expectation will be firmly on France Under-23s young shoulders for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games - not just due to their status as tournament hosts, but also on account of the enormous talent at the disposal of head coach Thierry Henry.
Show more

Top News

12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are without Italian left-back Riccardo Calafiori for Sunday's FA Cup third-round clash with Manchester United at the Emirates. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Juventus have reportedly had an opening offer for Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo rejected by the Catalan giants. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Napoli are reportedly ready to make a move for Manchester United attacker Alejandro Garnacho, with the Italian outfit searching for a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly considering making a move for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford before the end of the January transfer window. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool head coach Arne Slot cannot call upon the suspended Darwin Nunez for Tuesday's Premier League battle with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo should have all but one of his players available for Tuesday's blockbuster Premier League battle with leaders Liverpool at the City Ground. 12 January 2025 talksport.com West Ham United are looking to make a move in the January transfer window after another brutal injury blow. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Facing one of the toughest tests of their Premier League title mettle, Liverpool make the trek to the City Ground for a fascinating battle with high-flying Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night. 12 January 2025 talksport.com Manchester City are closing in on an agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt for forward Omar Marmoush, talkSPORT understands. 12 January 2025 talksport.com Dutch hero Patrick Kluivert has announced the big plans he has in store after returning to the dugout on the international stage. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has both the best and worst kind of attacking dilemma to solve for Tuesday's Premier League showdown with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is expected to revert to his regular 'A' team for Tuesday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by just three points in the upper echelons of the Premier League table, Chelsea and Bournemouth endeavour to build on emphatic FA Cup victories in Tuesday's top-flight battle at Stamford Bridge. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Six-time Spanish champions Valencia will be bidding to avoid an upset against third-tier outfit Ourense CF when they take to the field in the last-16 stage of the 2024-25 Copa del Rey on Tuesday night. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to stay within close range of the Serie A summit, Atalanta BC will host a misfiring Juventus side on Tuesday evening. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker is not expected to be involved when the Premier League champions travel to Brentford for Tuesday's top-flight contest. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford left-back Rico Henry is in line for his first Premier League appearance since September 2023 when the Bees host Manchester City at the Gtech Community Stadium on Tuesday. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, viewing the Sweden international as the ideal long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Kicking off a three-game road trip in the English capital, a revitalised Manchester City seek a fourth win on the spin in Tuesday's Premier League clash with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly suffered a major blow in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain's Randal Kolo Muani, with Aston Villa potentially emerging as the favourites for the France international. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic could reportedly be offered a route back to the Premier League by newly-promoted Ipswich Town. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Borussia Dortmund are reportedly making 'a concerted effort' to acquire Marcus Rashford, while Napoli are said to have emerged as genuine contenders to sign the Manchester United attacker before the end of the January transfer window. 12 January 2025 talksport.com There was no room for Gianfranco Zola, Frank Lampard or John Terry in Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's ultimate five-a-side team of former teammates. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Playing catch-up in the race for a top-four finish, AC Milan will seek their first Serie A win of the year when they make the short trip to Como on Tuesday. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Fresh from snapping a four-game winless sequence, Chelsea endeavour to get back on track in the Premier League when they square up to Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk An extremely stern examination of Liverpool's Premier League title credentials awaits on Tuesday night, when the Reds visit high-flying Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk On the hunt for a fourth successive victory across all competitions, a rejuvenated Manchester City head down south to tackle Brentford in Tuesday's Premier League affair. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk For the first time in over 45 years, Monaco will visit Stade Auguste-Delaune for a Coupe de France fixture against Reims with a spot in the round of 16 at stake on Tuesday. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The transfer window is open! Clubs around the UK and Europe have one final chance to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Sivasspor vs. Alanyaspor (Sunday, 10.30am) Sivasspor will look to arrest their alarming slide when they host Alanyaspor in round 19 of the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday.