In Manchester United's preseason campaign, the club decided to pay special homage to Sir Alex Ferguson by arranging matches against the first three teams he managed before his legendary reign at Old Trafford. This gesture was a celebration of Ferguson's journey to becoming one of football's greatest managers. The games not only honored his past but also allowed United to integrate new signings and give veteran players a chance to shine.
The opening match was against East Stirlingshire, where United delivered a commanding performance. The starting lineup featured a mix of veteran legends like Nemanja Vidić and Rio Ferdinand alongside newer faces like João Cancelo. United dismantled their opponents in an 8-0 rout, with Wayne Rooney netting a brace, Robert Lewandowski scoring a hat-trick, and further goals coming from Vidić, Ryan Giggs, and Toni Kroos.
The second game pitted United against St. Mirren. For this game Ancelotti rotated the squad, as new signings were given the chance to start,
Despite the changes, United controlled the match from the beginning , overwhelming St. Mirren with wave after wave of attacks. Lewandowski , who had been quiet in the opening minutes, burst into life with a powerful header to open the scoring. Griezmann added another with a slick finish, and Mahrez curled in a free-kick to make it 3-0 before halftime.
However, while United's attack was firing on all cylinders, their defense showed signs of weakness. A few lapses in concentration allowed St. Mirren to get on the scoresheet twice, both from set-piece situations. The goals conceded showed that while the team's attack was fluid, there was still work to be done at the back to prevent such mistakes from recurring. So while the team dominated with a 5-2 victory, defensive lapses allowed the opposition to score twice, highlighting areas that needed improvement.
The final match of United's Scottish tour took place against Aberdeen, where Sir Alex Ferguson enjoyed tremendous success before moving to Manchester United. For this game, the lineup was a more balanced mix of veterans and newcomers, aiming to end the Scottish leg of their preseason on a high note. The atmosphere was charged with emotion, as Aberdeen fans welcomed Ferguson's legacy back to their home ground.
United started brightly, with Rooney once again leading the line. The veteran striker seemed revitalized, and it didn't take long for him to find the back of the net. After a swift exchange of passes between Kroos and De Bruyne, the ball found Rooney in space, and he slotted it home with his trademark precision. Antoine Griezmann, also starting in this game, added a second with a well-placed shot from outside the box, and Giggs capped off the performance with a classic goal, dribbling past two defenders before finishing calmly.
The match ended 3-0, with United showcasing their dominance on both ends of the pitch. The Aberdeen fans showed their appreciation for Ferguson's time at the club, while the United faithful were happy by the team's momentum heading into the next phase of preseason.
After wrapping up their successful tour of Scotland, Manchester United flew to the United States to participate in the prestigious International Cup. The competition featured eight of Europe's top teams in a single-elimination format. United was drawn into the same bracket as Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, and Barcelona, while the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Inter Milan occupied the other half.
United's first challenge was against Dortmund , a high-stakes matchup that brought the intensity of a Premier League clash to a global stage. Ancelotti opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with David De Gea in goal, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young as full-backs, and Vidić and Ferdinand partnering in central defense. In midfield, Rodri, Kroos, and De Bruyne provided a solid combination of defensive strength and creative flair, while Giggs and Nani operated on the wings, supporting Rooney up front.
The game was a tough contest, especially against Klopp's high-energy, gegenpressing style disrupted United's rhythm from the outset, making it difficult for them to settle into their usual passing game. Dortmund applied relentless pressure, forcing United to play on the counter-attack for much of the first half.
It wasn't until the 35th minute that United found a breakthrough. Rodri, who had been a commanding presence in midfield, intercepted a pass from İlkay Gündoğan and quickly transitioned the ball to De Bruyne. With one touch, De Bruyne sent a perfectly weighted pass to Nani on the right wing. The Portuguese winger pulled off a dazzling step-over to beat his defender, Sokratis, and delivered a pinpoint low cross into the box. Rooney met it with a first-time finish, blasting the ball into the net. The United fans erupted in celebration as the players swarmed Rooney in joy.
Dortmund, however, didn't back down. Their relentless pressing finally paid off just before halftime when Robin van Persie, the former United striker, found himself unmarked in the box and calmly slotted home the equalizer. Van Persie chose not to celebrate out of respect for his former club, but the goal had reignited Dortmund's momentum.
As the second half began,Ancelotti made crucial substitutions, bringing on Virgil van Dijk and Marquinhos for the aging Vidić and Ferdinand. Giggs was also replaced by Riyad Mahrez, providing fresh legs and attacking flair. These changes immediately paid dividends.
In the 60th minute, Mahrez showcased his dazzling dribbling skills, weaving past his defender before cutting inside and driving into the box. Rather than crossing, he unleashed a powerful shot that flew into the net, putting United 2-1 up. The momentum had shifted, and Dortmund struggled to regain their footing.
Just five minutes later, from a corner taken by Young, Van Dijk rose above everyone else and powered a header into the net, extending United's lead to 3-1. Dortmund's defense had no answer to United's aerial threat, and their attempts to fight back were effectively neutralized by United's strengthened backline.
Despite Dortmund's efforts to fight back, United's defense held strong, and they emerged victorious, advancing in the tournament with a confident display.