Joshua Zirkzee decision made as six Manchester United stars to miss pre-season tour

Manchester United have made their decision on Joshua Zirkzee as six stars are set to miss out on Erik ten Hag’s pre-season tour of the USA.

Manchester United have completed two pre-season matches so far in the summer of 2024. The team lost 1-0 to Rosenborg but improved after that, winning 2-0 against Rangers in Scotland.

Goals from Amad Diallo and Joe Hugill secured the victory, and new signing Leny Yoro made his unofficial debut following his £52 million transfer from Lille.

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Next, United will head to the USA for three more fixtures, including high-profile matches against Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool.

The first game against Arsenal will take place in Los Angeles at 01:00 BST on Sunday, 28 July. Then, United will face Real Betis at 03:00 BST on Tuesday, 1 August, at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

The pre-season tour will conclude with a final match at 00:45 BST in Columbia, South Carolina, on Sunday, 4 August.

Although some had hoped that new signing Joshua Zirkzee would join the squad while they were in the USA, it has now been revealed that the Netherlands international will be one of six players set to miss out on the three fixtures.

According to Mail Sport, Zirkzee, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martínez, Alejandro Garnacho, and Facundo Pellistri will all return from their holidays too late to take part in the remaining three pre-season games.

However, it is expected that all six players will join the squad ahead of the start of the season, with some potentially featuring against Manchester City during the second week of August.

They will face Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 10 August, at 15:00 BST as part of the 2024 Community Shield before kicking off the 2024/25 Premier League campaign with an Old Trafford clash against Fulham on Friday, 16 August. This is when Zirkzee will most likely make his debut.

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