Manchester United 'considering playing closed-door friendly' just days before Premier League start

The Red Devils recently completed their pre-season tour.

Just days before the Premier League season begins, Manchester United are reportedly thinking about holding a secret friendly match. Before the summer pre-season in America, United embarked on an odd post-season tour to Asia in May.

Fiorentina’s visit to Old Trafford over the weekend was to be United’s last match before they face Arsenal at start of the new Premier League 2025-26 season.

However, The Times claims that the team are examining the possibility of playing a friendly behind closed doors this week against a nearby rival.

Manchester United exploring a closed-door friendly game to help the fitness of new arrival

Benjamin Sesko, a new £74 million acquisition, would benefit from extra match time as he adjusts to life in England. Ruben Amorim, the manager, must also decide on a goalkeeper.

Due to his ongoing hamstring injury, Andre Onana will not be able to play in Sunday’s season opener at Old Trafford.

Altay Bayindir, who has only made four appearances in the Premier League, may therefore need to be called upon by Amorim. However, a private friendly would allow the Manchester United manager to assess Onana’s level of fitness.

Emi Martinez and Gianluigi Donnarumma are two of the goalkeepers that United have been linked to this summer.

With his sights set on a transfer elsewhere, Martinez seemed to wave goodbye to Aston Villa supporters at the close of the previous campaign.

The French champions PSG are prepared to sell, Donnarumma has only one year left on his PSG contract and is unlikely to extend it.

However, Manchester United will now need to sell in order to expand their roster after spending £210 million on three new attackers this summer.

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