Manchester United To Visit Pride Park Stadium Ahead Of The 2021/22 Season

Derby County will face Premier League heavyweights Manchester United at Pride Park Stadium ahead of the 2021/22 Sky Bet Championship season.

It was confirmed last week that Wayne Rooney’s side will return for pre-season training in early July to ramp up their preparations for the upcoming campaign.

In addition to the friendly matches at League Two Salford City (Saturday 24th July - 3pm) and National League Notts County (Sunday 1st August - 1pm), Derby will also play two friendlies on home turf.

Derby’s first pre-season friendly will see them face 13-time Premier League winners Manchester United at Pride Park Stadium on Sunday 18th July (1pm kick-off).

As well as the Rams’ players pitting their wits against last season’s Premier League runners-up and UEFA Europa League finalists, it will be a chance for Rooney to renew acquaintances with his former club.

Rooney is United’s all-time leading goalscorer with 253 goals and the friendly will be the first time he has faced the Red Devils since retiring as a player to become Derby’s manager earlier this year.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side last visited Pride Park in March 2020 in the Fifth Round of the Emirates FA Cup and ran out 3-0 winners.

Rooney’s squad are set to return to Pride Park Stadium for their third pre-season match on Wednesday 28th July and full details for this match are expected to be confirmed in the coming days.

Rooney said: “I’m really pleased with our pre-season plans ahead of the new season.

“We’ll have some time at Moor Farm Training Ground when the players initially return in July and we will also take the players away for a week to provide a change of scenery, which will be an important part of our preparations.

“The game against Manchester United, a club I have a long and proud affiliation and history with, at Pride Park Stadium is a mouth-watering prospect and an excellent opportunity for us to test ourselves against one of the best teams in both England and Europe.

“In addition, we have some challenging friendly matches against Salford City and Notts County and they will provide a variety of important tests for us in the lead-up to the season getting started.”

Ticketing Information

The club is awaiting confirmation from the UK Government and relevant football authorities in relation to the admittance of spectators for the home friendly matches at Pride Park Stadium.

The club will communicate ticketing information and processes at the earliest available opportunity.