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Manchester United face a grueling pre-season schedule this summer
Jose Mourinho's side play Real Madrid, Manchester City and Barcelona
After finishing sixth they are expected to challenge for the title next year

Published: 10:49 EDT, 18 June 2017 | Updated: 04:34 EDT, 19 June 2017

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Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United's pre-season schedule will serve as the ultimate test of their Premier League title credentials.

Jose Mourinho's side will face Real Madrid twice as well as Manchester City and Barcelona during the summer.

And with United expected to mount a title charge in the Portuguese manager's second season, Ferguson believes the next few months will define the following 12.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes pre-season will be the ultimate test for Manchester United

MANCHESTER UNITED PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE

July 15 - LA Galaxy (9:00pm)

July 17 - Real Salt Lake (9:00pm)

July 20 - Manchester City (9:00pm)

July 23 - Real Madrid (10:00pm)

July 26 - Barcelona (12:30am)

July 30 - Valerenga TBC

August 2 - Sampdoria TBC

August 8 - Real Madrid (Super Cup, 19:45)

United are touring the USA as they take part in the International Champions Cup before a Super Cup final against Real on August 8.

And Ferguson believes it is how his former club fare against the big teams that will gauge their progress ahead of the new campaign.

Speaking to the United website he said: 'The great thing about United is you've got to accept the challenge of beating the best.

'The expectation is always there and the matches we'll face in the ICC are all big ones.

'It's very good for the younger players to come into this type of competition in terms of preparing to be a Manchester United player.

'The more intense the challenge they can get, the better prepared they will be when facing Manchester City in an important league match or Real Madrid or Barcelona in Europe.'

Jose Mourinho's side face a grueling schedule ahead of the new campaign

Mourinho will hope his side's pre-season runs more smoothly than last year's as the scheduled game against City in China was cancelled due to a poor pitch unable to handle torrential rain.

Conditions and logistics are anticipated to be far more amenable in the USA and the jam-packed fixture list against top level opposition should offer a strong foundation for the campaign ahead.

United are expected to mount a serious title challenge after winning the EFL Cup and Europa League last term.

But they will have to drastically improve in the league after a sixth-placed finish after a number of disappointing home draws against lesser opposition proved damaging.