Manchester United vs AC Milan
The top spot in the International Champions Cup is up for grabs and this contest in the Millennium Stadium in Wales has the chance to settle it, SBOBET fans.
Although, United must win by three clear goals to overtake Benfica for overall tournament success.
Two giants of world football bidding for better times in the latest high-profile friendly that this competition provides each summer.
New men at the helm of both clubs and a new campaign on the horizon.
What International Champions Cup 2019 highlights can these sides bring?
What, if anything, can we learn from this encounter?
Talking Points
In what has largely been an encouraging pre-season for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his management team, United have so far enjoyed their International Champions Cup experiences.
After seeing off Milan’s rivals, Inter, they went onto defeat Spurs 2-1 as youngster Angel Gomes scored a fine winner.
Milan narrowly lost to Benfica after pushing Bayern Munich close in their opener and, similarly to the United rebuild required, it should not be forgotten this is a fresh start for them too.
Boss Gennaro Gattuso has gone and Marco Giampaolo has been drafted in to create a new-look Diavolo with an emphasis on youth.
New signings have arrived with 21-year-old left-back Theo Hernandez and a duo from relegated Empoli — RadeKrunic, 25, and Ismael Bennacer, also 21, who recently won the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria and was named player of the tournament.
Milan, of course, have been excluded from European football next season as a result of their Financial Fair Play settlement, with Torino set to take their place.
It hasn’t stopped their recruitment, though, with the club moving ever closer to signing Rafael Leao from Lille, as well as Flamengo defender Leo Duarte in a deal worth €11m. They reportedly remain hopeful of landing Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa, too.
More still, this will be the first full season in the San Siro for frontman Krzysztof Piatek. He certainly set the bar high in 2018-19, scoring 30 goals in just 42 appearances for Genoa and Milan.
The focus on United will be to see who Solskjaer plumps for in attack, perhaps an indication of who will get the starting nod a week before the action begins for real when United entertain Chelsea in a blockbuster Premier League opener.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial may be Solskjaer’s preferred pairing, but there are some other, although less experienced, youngsters staking their claim.
It does seem Solskjaer has limited faith in Romelu Lukaku (who’s been linked to both Juventus and Inter Milan), which is surprising given he has scored 42 goals in 96 matches during two seasons for United.
This match should certainly be an indicator as to what will be the Norwegian’s starting XI on August 11.
It’s time to head to Wales.
History
For two clubs with such a proud history, it may not surprise you to know their competitive meetings have been level with five wins apiece.
Yes, they did draw in this tournament last year with United winning on penalties, but that was effectively a friendly.
Their very first meeting occurred shortly after the Munich air disaster of 1958 in the European Cup semi-finals.
Somehow, on a tide of emotion, a makeshift United managed to win the first leg 2-1 at Old Trafford, courtesy of goals from Ernie Taylor and Munich survivor Dennis Viollet.
However, Milan romped to a 4-0 success to reach the final, which they lost 3-2 to Real Madrid.
When they next met in the competition 11 years later, United were holders and on course to possibly win it again until being the victim of a highly controversial decision.
After a 2-0 defeat in Milan in the semi-finals, United led the second leg 1-0 thanks to a Bobby Charlton goal and scored a second goal which had crossed the line with something to spare only for it to be bizarrely ruled out.
It was another 36 years before they met competitively when Hernan Crespo goals in each leg secured Milan a 2-0 aggregate success at the last 16.
Title-chasing United won a thrilling semi-final two years later 3-2 at Old Trafford before losing the return 3-0 in Milan, who went onto win the trophy.
When they met again three years later, United exacted revenge in style.
After a 3-2 triumph at the San Siro, they ran riot at Old Trafford to seal a 7-2 aggregate success.
Betting Tip
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Manchester United vs AC Milan | Total Goals 4-6 @ 2.93 |
| August 04, 00:36 (GMT+8) |
The onus is on United to win and win the tournament.
The International Champions Cup 2019 betting odds favour them 1X2 @ 1.77 (with Milan @ a distant 4.30).
Asian Handicap odds back the Red Devils -0.75 @ 2.05 (Milan +0.50 @ 2.16.).
With players out to impress and make their mark, I’m going to go for a slight risk goal-fest.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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