Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Why Man Utd will start Premier League season with disadvantage compared to top-six rivals
MANCHESTER UNITED will undertake a gruelling pre-season schedule as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to whip his squad into shape ahead of the Premier League campaign.
Man United players need 'the right attitude' says Solskjaer
Solskjaer is looking to overhaul the United first-team this summer after a dismal end to the 2018/19 campaign that saw the Red Devils win just two of their final 13 matches across all competitions.
Several new arrivals are expected at Old Trafford while a number of familiar faces are likely to depart before the Norwegian takes his players away for pre-season.
And there will be no gentle start for any summer signings as Solskjaer’s men prepare to undertake a mammoth tour that will stop off in Australia, Malaysia and China before returning to the United Kingdom.
In fact, United will travel over 5,000 miles more than their nearest Premier League rivals, according to The Sun.
The Red Devils, who missed out on Champions League qualification after finishing a distant sixth in the league last year, are set to rack up nearly 20,000 miles as they play friendlies against Perth Glory, Leeds United, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Tottenham in various locations around the world.
United fans will be worried about their players suffering from fatigue in the early stages of next season after such a lengthy tour – particularly compared to some of their rivals.
Liverpool are only due to travel 7,999 miles – putting them 11th in our alternative table – but that is nothing compared to Watford.
Javi Gracia’s men are only planning on travelling 30 miles from Vicarage Road during their preparations for next season – but how far will your club go ahead of the 2019/20 campaign?
20. Watford – 30 miles
19. Sheffield United – 197 miles
18. Bournemouth – 241 miles
17. Burnley – 285 miles
16. Norwich City – 626 miles
15. Leicester City – 687 miles
14. Crystal Palace – 1,285 miles
13. Brighton & Hove Albion – 1,667 miles
12. Aston Villa – 7,816 miles
11. Liverpool – 7,999 miles
Man United: Castles suggest which players could be sold
10. Everton – 8,830 miles
9. Arsenal – 11,654 miles
8. Southampton – 12,086 miles
7. Newcastle United – 12,358 miles
6. Chelsea – 12,462 miles
5. Wolverhampton Wanderers – 12,517 miles
4. West Ham United – 13,195 miles
3. Manchester City – 13,724 miles
2. Tottenham Hotspur – 14,815 miles
1. Manchester United – 19,845 miles