Manchester to Macedonia: United stars head for Skopje and Super Cup showdown with Real Madrid

  • Manchester United face Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday night
  • The United squad flew out to Skopje, Macedonia for the match on Monday  
  • United beat Real Madrid on penalties in pre-season out in America last month 

Their Premier League campaign may kick-off on Sunday but Manchester United's season properly begins on Tuesday.

The Red Devils face Real Madrid in a glamour tie as they compete for the UEFA Super Cup in Skopje, Macedonia.

Jose Mourinho and his Old Trafford stars could be seen carried on a shuttle bus from Manchester airport to their actual aircraft on Monday morning.  

Ander Herrera (centre left) and his Manchester United team-mates have flown to Macedonia

Ander Herrera (centre left) and his Manchester United team-mates have flown to Macedonia

The Red Devils squad travel via shuttle bus en route to their aircraft on Monday morning

The Red Devils squad travel via shuttle bus en route to their aircraft on Monday morning

United's stars relax on the bus before leaving for Skopje via Manchester airport

United's stars relax on the bus before leaving for Skopje via Manchester airport

Eric Bailly (front left) posted this picture from within the plane with his club team-mates

Eric Bailly (front left) posted this picture from within the plane with his club team-mates

The annual clash between the winners of the Europa League and Champions League pits Jose Mourinho’s men against Zinedine Zidane’s side at the 33,460-capacity Philip II Arena.


United new boy Nemanja Matic is in contention for a starting place having impressed in the first half of their 2-1 win over Sampdoria last Wednesday.

Fellow summer signings Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku are also in line to make their competitive debuts.

Defensive duo Eric Bailly and Phil Jones are suspended but Mourinho otherwise has no absences to overcome, besides the long-term injured players Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Ashley Young. 

Bailly took to Instagram on Monday inside their plane to post a selfie with Antonio Valencia, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial with the caption: 'Macedonia, here we come!' 

Nemanja Matic could make his competitive debut for United on Tuesday against Real Madrid

Nemanja Matic could make his competitive debut for United on Tuesday against Real Madrid

As could fellow summer signing Romelu Lukaku
As well as Victor Lindelof

As could fellow summer signings Romelu Lukaku (left) and Victor Lindelof in the Super Cup

Upon landing in Skojpe, Mourinho will hold a press conference before taking his squad for training.

Speaking after their win over Sampdoria, the Portuguese manager said: 'Pre-season was good. I’m never tired to repeat how well organised it was.

'Everybody played, we tried many different things and didn’t care about the results – we cared about our evolution. On top of it, we had small injuries but not big ones so everybody is ready.

'Now it's the serious stuff with the Super Cup and the first Premier League match.'

This is the second time in a few weeks that United and Real will have gone head-to-head with the former triumphing on penalties during their pre-season encounter in America. 

David de Gea celebrates after United's pre-season penalty win over Real Madrid last month

David de Gea celebrates after United's pre-season penalty win over Real Madrid last month