UEFA Super Cup: Macedonia on fire as Real Madrid, Manchester United slug it out in tonight’s titanic clash
Manchester United and Real Madrid are aiming to start this season how they ended the last; by winning a trophy.
The Champions League and Europa League winners face off in Macedonia tonight as Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo go up against their former clubs.
United will be vying for only their second Super Cup triumph, in their fourth attempt, while three-time winners Real are gearing up for their sixth outing.
Start time
Real Madrid and Manchester United meet at the Philip II Arena in Skopje, Macedonia, with kick-off scheduled for 7.45pm BST on Tuesday, August 8.
TV and live online coverage
The match will be televised live on BT Sport 2, with coverage starting from 7pm. Alternatively, you can follow all the build-up and action from 6.45pm with Standard Sport’s London Football live blog.
Team news
Nemanja Matic made a surprise start for United against Sampdoria last week, just two days after joining from Chelsea, so will be in contention to feature in Macedonia.
Paul Pogba and Ander Herrara will likely line up with the Serbian, but Jose Mourinho could well use some of his second string with United’s Premier League opening against West Ham just four days later.
Eric Bailly and Phil Jones are both suspended.
Gareth Bale limped out of Real Madrid training on last week but Zinedine Zidane insisted the forward “looked good” afterwards, with Mourinho laying the gauntlet for Zidande to either start the Welsh winger or else open up a potential transfer to Old Trafford.
Otherwise, Cristiano Ronaldo has been declared fit by Zidane and could play a part after recovering from injury.
Head to head
Prediction
Betting odds (via 888 Sport)
- Real Madrid to win: 6/5
- Man Utd to win: 49/20
- Draw: 12/5
Evening Standard
