The future of Manchester United will be on display in Seattle on Friday as Louis van Gaal gives his first glimpse of a new-look side he hopes will return the club to the summit of English football.
The Premier League giants kick off a four-match tour of the United States against Club America of Mexico after completing a flurry of high-calibre signings which look to have strengthened United in several key areas.
The arrival of German World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger and French international Morgan Schneiderlin has given United’s midfield a look of class it has lacked arguably since the last of Alex Ferguson’s great sides.
United’s defence has been enhanced by the arrival of highly rated Italian international right back Matteo Darmian while in attack Van Gaal has added the exciting talents of winger Memphis Depay.
“I am very happy because they are in my opinion very good players,” Van Gaal said ahead of Friday’s game at CenturyLink Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks NFL team.
“That is why Manchester United has bought them and I am very happy that they are here before the tour because we can prepare all the team elements what I have to implement with new players.
“It is much better than last year.”
Clues as to how Van Gaal plans to weave the new arrivals into his existing squad should emerge over the next fortnight in the US, where United will also face games against the San Jose Earthquakes, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
But Van Gaal has warned his new signings they would need to prove they deserved a place in United’s starting line-up.
“I have to say to the players, you have to fight for your position,” Van Gaal said.
“Never is it secure in top sport – even my position is not secure,” added the manager, who demonstrated his ruthless streak this week by announcing he planned to sell goalkeeper Victor Valdes, just seven months after signing him, because he had refused to play for the reserves.
Van Gaal reportedly favours a 4-3-3 formation, which could comprise Michael Carrick, Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger in a midfield three.
However he hinted this week that he could opt for a 4-2-3-1 line-up, which may see Schneiderlin and Carrick sitting behind a three of Ander Herrera, Schweinsteiger and Juan Mata.
“I have said already that our selection was not in balance and I have mentioned that I want to make the balance with midfielders,” Van Gaal said.
“So you could expect that I shall buy two holding midfielders. Morgan Schneiderlin is the type that I think can play in our system and in our philosophy.”
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ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
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Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
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MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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FIGHT%20CARD
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Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
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- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
At a glance
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House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
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Key facilities
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
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- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
