Manchester United drop pre-season friendly to boost title bid

Louis van Gaal asked Man Utd bosses for a clear week ahead of the new season to avoid another slow start

Manchester United have granted Louis van Gaal a lighter pre-season schedule to boost their Premier League title challenge.
The Dutch manager asked for a clear week before the start of the campaign - meaning they would have to abandon plans to play a friendly at Old Trafford.
Last season United played Valencia just before the start of the campaign - going on to lose their opening Premier League fixture at home to Swansea.

Van Gaal is determined to avoid a repeat of last year’s sluggish start when his side won only one of their first six games in all competitions.

Van Gaal is hoping for a bright start to the season

And despite missing out on the financial rewards of playing in front of a crowd of around 60,000, United are willing to let their manager have his way.
“I asked the board for us not to play the week before our first Premier League match,” said Van Gaal.
“Last year we played against Valencia a few days before we had to play Swansea City and that was too much.
“Therefore they have permitted that we don’t play one week before the first game as that match is very important.
“We want to win it this time and I hope we can start very well.”
United return for pre-season training on July 1.
They head out on their tour of America on July 14, when they will play Club America, San Jose Earthquakes, Barcelona and Paris St Germain.
United kick off their campaign against Tottenham at Old Trafford on August 8.