Man United, Arsenal & Liverpool set to clash in US pre-season tour

Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool will face each other on American soil this summer as part of their pre-season preparations, according to The Athletic.

Following their clash in July 2023, where United beat Arsenal 2-0 in New Jersey, the two Premier League powerhouses will have a rematch in the US.

The specific cities and dates for this summer’s games have not been disclosed.

Last year’s showdown between United and Arsenal at MetLife Stadium attracted a sold-out crowd. It set the record as the highest-grossing club soccer game at the venue since its inauguration in 2010.

Liverpool have now entered the fray and will look to provide a spectacle for fans alongside their rivals.

The three clubs are owned by US investors – the Kroenke family at Arsenal, the Glazer family at Manchester United and Fenway Sports Group at Liverpool.

United will take to the field at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego as part of their agreement with Qualcomm, Snapdragon’s parent company, to sponsor the front of the club’s shirt in the upcoming seasons. The Red Devils played in Las Vegas and Houston last summer.

In addition to these marquee match-ups, Chelsea and treble-winners Manchester City are in talks to stage a friendly encounter in the US as part of their pre-season preparations.

Last summer featured the first Premier League Summer Series in the US, but this year will take a different course.

There is a lingering dispute within the Premier League around the broadcast deal for the fixtures.

Some clubs prefer to sell subscriptions on their platforms, leading to conflicting interests with the league’s central broadcasting plan.

Despite the potential challenges, the Premier League sees the US tour as an opportunity to expose clubs to the American market and boost the league’s international value.

They aim to capitalise on the growing appetite for Premier League soccer in the country before the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025 and the World Cup in 2026.

The tour is not only about matches but also serves as a crucial platform for clubs to engage with fans in a key market through various events and activities.