After a jam-packed month, Sydney’s ANZ Stadium will play host to one of the biggest football matches Australia has ever seen as Manchester United face the A-League All-Stars. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEST.
Since the confirmed announcement on May 31st, Australian football fans have eagerly awaited the arrival of the Red Devils since their last visit 14 years ago, which coincided with a two-match tour against the Australian national team.
The A-League All-Stars side, coached by Ange Postecoglou, had aimed to represent the best of the A-League with the team being preselected by the fans.
However due to the EAFF East Asia Cup, club commitments and off-season fitness the vast majority of the original 35 selected have become unavailable.
Despite the loss of big name players such as Alessandro Del Piero, Shinji Ono, Archie Thompson and Mark Milligan, the A-League All-Stars side has still been represented very well.
The A-League All Stars are not alone in having lost some of their best players either.
Manchester’s Wayne Rooney had to venture back home after injuring himself in training – this may have to do with the circling rumours of his departure from Old Trafford, despite David Moyes’ wishes to keep England international.
Moyes’ side will welcome the return of stars Robin van Persie and David de Gea to the fold, the two having missed United’s 1-0 loss to Singha All-Stars last weekend.
All Stars inaugural captain Brett Emerton says the team isn’t nervous despite facing one of the most recognisable footballing teams in the world. He believes the pressure is on Manchester United as the post Sir Alex Ferguson era begins.
David Moyes, on the other hand, does not feel the pressure and is keen to give every player some game time with van Persie most likely to come on in the second half.
With a sold out stadium and a world class football team on Australian shores, this match is set-up to be a cracker. It’ll be a highly entertaining contest with a key focus to produce quality football.
While Manchester United are preparing for another English Premier League season and looking to expose their brand throughout Asia, the A-League All-Stars will be keen to show Australian football followers how far the development of the A-League has come in eight seasons.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 A-League All-Stars
pup
Guest
not even mate keep dreaming ^
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"Let’s see how Melbourne Victory go against Liverpool then I think you will be able to grasp a better understanding as to the difference in quality." MVFC will be playing their Youth Team against Liverpool on Wednesday night. MVFC's best starting XI will be missing: * Coe * Finkler * Traore * Thompson * Pain * Nichols * Milligan So, that's 7 of our best 11, who won't be playing against a team that plays in the biggest, most lucrative football competition in the world.
bryan
Guest
And every European club is as good as Man United??
AZ_RBB
Guest
hahah good call mate :D
Titus
Guest
Yes but will Europe ever be as good as Thailand?
Titus
Guest
All-stars played some really good possession, passing football and were right in the game up until the last half hour when the teams were completely changed......clearly we don't have the same amount of quality in the final third but I thought it was an entertaining game and that our boys played well.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Scott Chipperfield tonight "I guess that will keep quiet the people that think the A League is on par with Europe
Stevo
Guest
Cheers!
AZ_RBB
Guest
Beauchamp put in some incredible goal saving tackles. Broich was great on the ball. Emerton+ Bojic combined well a few times. Berisha did well to score.
Stevo
Guest
Didn't see the game but who were the better A-league players?
AZ_RBB
Guest
i found tonight mildly entertaining. for a million reasons i won't bore you with. but above all i have a big problem with this All Stars concept. i think the A League went 5 steps back today. All Stars gives the impression of individual stars. which is the furthest thing from what the A League actually is. we know our players aren't the greatest in the world. we go to see matches because we love our clubs. none of that passion was on show tonight.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
And Channel 7 butchered it. Why was I hoping for more?
dasilva
Guest
Socceroos were pretty shocking. I decided to watch them instead of Manchester United This the most I've seen Australia getting outplayed but still somehow not losing the match Galekovic was easily the man of the match and the only Australian player to exit the match with credit South Korea had about 60% of the possession and completely created numerous chances to score and only Galekovic keeping saved the day for Australia with numerous saves as well as a shot that hit the post. South Korean finishing were pretty poor Australia did not create a single good chance in the entire 90 minutes. We were completely impotent in attack and I can only think of a few times where even delivered a ball into the Korean penalty box. Honestly the way we played made it look like Korea were Barcalona.
jamesb
Guest
Thanks for the updates on the Socceroos match, Kellett. At least one national team is doing well tonight. The A-League all stars concept is not a bad one provided that the best players are on the park like ADP, ONO etc, and also it doesn't clash with a Socceroos game.
Simoc
Guest
I'm not sure of the price of the cattle on the field but probably one Man U star is at the value of the entire All Stars team. That is the difference in quality that was apparent. It looked like a training drill for the parts that I watched. All Stars unable to apply pressure and Man U rarely getting out of first gear.
Cameron
Roar Guru
East Asia Cup Update: FULL TIME - Korea Republic 0 - 0 Australia From what I hear that is a good result for Australia considering how they played. Haven't watched but I hope it wasn't too bad and hopefully the Socceroos can do much better in their next match. Once again cheers for the follow guys. Feel free to follow me on Twitter @kellett18
pete4
Guest
Man Utd season starts in 3 weeks and our season is still months away
Cameron
Roar Guru
Cheers for the kind words Johnno and you raise some points that would lead to the scrapping of a game like this but ultimately as Ian has pointed out there are many factors that eventuated to this scoreline. I don't think anyone expected them to win but I wouldn't say that didn't do the A-League injustice. I was quite happy with the performance and was mainly in awe of Man U's class. I don't watch much EPL but when I get the chance I always thoroughly enjoy it and Man U just reminded me why I love watching them every now and then. The challenge is there and the A-League will continue to grow but do not ever expect us to stand alongside these sorts of teams. Let's see how Melbourne Victory go against Liverpool then I think you will be able to grasp a better understanding as to the difference in quality.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Evra I believe was the player that collected Risdon, I don't recall one card given tonight. As you say, probably due to the fact it was a friendly, but just because it is a friendly does not mean we stop officiating correctly. Just on the scoreline; it reflects Man U's class but does not reflect the amount of effort the All Stars put in. They deserved probably one more goal and shouldn't have slacked off in defense but when so many subs are being made that is to be expected.
Ian
Guest
the team had 10 days together, and its Man U. if we were at the level of a championship side I'd rate that as good. I don't think anyone thinks we are anywhere near one of the best teams in the world. I don't necessarily like the scoreline but they created chances but Man U's attack was too good and we don't hold possession like they can.