United announce two more friendlies

Manchester United have agreed a Celtic double-header on August 8 to conclude preparations for the defence of their Premier League title.

Alex Ferguson’s squad will split into two, with half tackling Northern Irish outfit Glentoran at the Oval to mark the Belfast outfit’s 125th anniversary, the rest taking on the United manager’s old club Dunfermline at East End Park.

Although United are still waiting to find out whether their controversial trip to Malaysia will get the go-ahead at the end of July’s Far East tour, today’s announcement means the Red Devils’ domestic programme is now complete.

The showpiece is undoubtedly an Old Trafford meeting with Serie A champions Inter Milan on Wednesday, August 1.

Two days later United will make their first visit to the Keepmoat Stadium to face Doncaster.

Twenty-four hours after that, Ferguson will be in direct opposition to son Darren, although the encounter with Peterborough at London Road has not been designated a first-team friendly.

As Premiership champions, United will also compete in the annual Community Shield at Wembley, where they will face an FA Cup final re-match with Chelsea.

United officials are still to decide what to do if, as expected, the Asian Football Confederation deny them the opportunity to play in Kuala Lumpur on July 27.

Ferguson’s side could return home immediately after the third leg of their Asia trip in Macau, or alternatively an attempt could be made to set up another fixture.