Manchester United – the stars are absent from Oslo:

July 12th is a special day for many Norwegian Manchester United fans, as one of the biggest football clubs in the world – Manchester United – will come to Ollival Stadium to start their pre-season warm-up.

It happens without many of the team’s biggest stars, we have to believe the British tabloid Manchester Evening News. Avisa, who follows the Manchester club closely, writes that a number of the mainstays of the team are not yet in training and are therefore irrelevant for the training match against Leeds.

I’m not surprised

– Quite as expected if I’m being very honest, says United.no’s responsible editor Dag Langerød to Dagbladet.

continued:

– I’m not disappointed in any way. This is the first game in the run up. Last year they met Liverpool in the first match. Then there were a little more stars due to the quiet summer, but still all the best changed during the break and no one played more than 45 minutes.

The one who is a little more disappointed that not all the stars come to Oslo is super supporter Tim Iversen, also known as UnitedTim7 on TikTok, producing content for just over 116,000 followers.

– Of course it’s crazy, but I remember when I sat and watched United against Valerenga and the unknown Scott McTominay headed it 3-0. It was unknown, but at the same time you never know what the next season will be like. If you’re a United fan, you love the whole team, Iversen told Dagbladet.

the reason

The reason why stars don’t appear is very simple.

– National matches are the reason. Of course there can be injuries too, but the international matches played until June 20th are the main reason. Langerød explains that all players are contractually entitled to three weeks’ holiday.

– At the same time, this is United’s first match this season, while against Atlético (the last time United were in Norway, editor’s note) was a rehearsal, and naturally after that, a senior team was involved, he adds.

Langerud also points out that this opens up the possibility of Norwegian playing time at the Olleval Stadion, Isak Hansen-Arwen.

The 18-year-old was not allowed to participate in the European Under-19 Championships by the big club, and has trained with United’s first team several times.

– I take it for granted. I don’t think United feel they have to put him on the field just because they said no to the European Commission, but I think he could play. In general, he did well last year – especially in training with the first team. He must have been impressed towards the end of the season, so I would expect him to get the chance,” Langerud says of the young Tromso Fireing.

not worried

Scandsports partner Sjur Mørk has helped organize United’s previous visits to Norway and is also in charge of Wednesday’s game. He is looking forward to the event and is not worried about the lack of stars.

– As before, we believe audiences will have an unforgettable experience. It is important to remember that neither the MUFC nor the LUFC have anything but star players. We are sure that the preparation around the match will be an unforgettable experience for young and old, writes Mørk in an email to Dagbladet.

Significant resources have been spent on activities with both the Supporters Clubs on and off the pitch before matches and during half-time. As Mork concludes, this is the first time we’ve played an English classic in Norway.

Comes with a WC promise

UnitedTim Mørk shares his view on the framework surrounding the match.

He has followed the club to his heart since the early 1990s and says he spends NOK 80-100,000 a year following his favorite club. Fortunately, this arrangement is more accessible to the man who lives in Lillestrom.

– I don’t think it will affect the framework at all. There are many co-star players. So I think United Hysteria will be there anyway, says the loyal supporter.

Still star studded

Despite the fact that a number of players will not join United until after the game in Oslo, Langerode confirms it is still a star-studded side who will step onto the mat at Ollival on Wednesday afternoon.

– I’d like to see Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, but I’ll take what comes and I think it’s very exciting. There is still a very strong team coming. Possibly the first match for Mason Mount. Raphael Varane, world champion and Champions League winner, is coming, Lisandro Martinez and Donny van de Beek. In addition to a number of young people, who can penetrate the future, Langerode concludes.

The match, called in England “The Rivalry of the Roses”, kicks off at 17:00.