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Barcelona logo
Pre-season Friendlies
Jul 25, 2015 at 9pm UK
 
Manchester United logo

1-3

Rafinha (90')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Rooney (8'), Lingard (65'), Januzaj (91')

Preview: Barcelona vs. Manchester United

Sports Mole looks ahead to Saturday night's match between Barcelona and Manchester United in the International Champions Cup.

Two of the five most valuable sports teams in the world meet at Levi's Stadium in California on Saturday in the International Champions Cup.

Barcelona and Manchester United, who placed fourth and fifth in the Forbes list, will face off for the first time in three years.


Barca

The Barcelona team celebrate victory with the trophy after the UEFA Champions League Final between Juventus and FC Barcelona at Olympiastadion on June 6, 2015© Getty Images

Luis Enrique's men capped a stunning season last month by winning the Champions League to become the first European team to do the league-cup-European treble on multiple occasions.

A transfer ban has limited the club in the summer window, but they have still been able to bring in Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan on deals that won't be able to go through until January.

Barca's first game since their Champions League triumph in Berlin over Juventus was on Tuesday night as they faced MLS side the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Former Liverpool players Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez met and it was the latter who opened the scoring just before half time as Barca claimed a 2-1 win at the Rose Bowl.

Today marks exactly a month until Barca begin their La Liga title defence with a trip to Athletic Bilbao on August 23.

This is also the first year that Barca have competed in the International Champions Cup.

Recent form: LWDWWW


United

Memphis Depay and Wayne Rooney of Manchester United during an International Champions Cup game in San Jose on July 21, 2015© Getty Images

The Red Devils returned to the Premier League's top four under Louis van Gaal last term after the disappointing first season following Sir Alex Ferguson's departure under David Moyes.

Since then, they have been busy in the transfer market by adding Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, and further additions are expected.

Despite the new faces, United are still fourth favourites for the 2016 Premier League title behind defending champions Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal.

Depay got off the mark in United colours in the Red Devils' 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday, while Schneiderlin scored the only goal in their first International Champions Cup match against America on Friday.

United are the reigning ICC champions thanks to their 3-1 victory over rivals Liverpool in Miami a year ago.

Recent form: LWDDWW


Team News

Bastian Schweinsteiger #23 of Manchester United dribbles the ball as Tommy Thompson #22 of San Jose Earthquakes defends during the second half of their International Champions Cup match on July 21, 2015© Getty Images

The likes of Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic started against the Galaxy, but there was no Lionel Messi, who isn't yet back with the team after his Argentina side reached the final of the Copa America.

Pedro was also in the starting lineup despite the rumours linking him with United, Arsenal and Liverpool. Enrique made a total of 10 changes during the match and could shake up his side here.

Like Enrique, Van Gaal made 10 changes against the Earthquakes, all of which came at half time, so it is difficult to say exactly who will start in two days' time.

After scoring against San Jose, Depay will hope for another start, while Schweinsteiger could be named in the first XI after coming off the bench last time out.

Barca possible starting lineup:
Ter Stegen; Pereira, Pique, Vermaelen, Alba; Iniesta, Busquets, Rakitic; Pedro, Suarez, Munir

United possible starting lineup:
Lindegaard; Darmian, Jones, Evans, Shaw; Schneiderlin, Carrick, Schweinsteiger; Mata, Rooney, Depay


Head To Head

The last two matches between the pair were both friendlies, with Barca winning the last meeting three years ago on penalties after a goalless draw.

Their last competitive encounter was four years ago in the 2011 Champions League final, when second-half goals from Messi and David Villa helped Barca to a 3-1 win at Wembley.

Barca have won three of the last six meetings, with United claiming victory twice and there being one draw.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Barca 2-3 United

The US fans will want entertainment and these two should be able to give it to them. Calling this is difficult, but we're just going to side with Van Gaal's men. Penalties will be needed if the match ends in a draw.



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Written by
Pascal Lemesre
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