Man Utd
Manchester United's Rooney and Hernandez react during their English Premier League match against Manchester City in Manchester. REUTERS

Manchester United continue their preparations for the 2012/13 Premier League season with a trip to Norway to face Valerenga. The Red Devils will be bolstered by the return of their Euro 2012 stars and Serbian centre back Nemanja Vidic, who was sidelined for much of last season by injury. The hosts, meanwhile, will hope to provide a decent challenge, given they are midway through their league season and in better physical condition.

United stars Wayne Rooney, Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Nani and Patrice Evra are expected to return to action. New recruits Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell are also expected to see some minutes, as Sir Alex Ferguson works out Kagawa's best position. Ferguson has confirmed he will field the strongest side he can.

"They'll have to play," he told the club's website, "There's no doubt about that. We need to get those players up to the mark. There's a bit of a complication with the Olympic Games. David De Gea is there with Spain, although they're out now so he should be back with us this week."

The Norwegians will have to recover from a disappointing 2-4 defeat away to Haugesund on 3 August. The visitors were on course for a 2-2 draw and a point before Alexander Soderlud and Pontus Engblom scored in injury time to hand Valerenga their seventh defeat of the season. They remain sixth in the Tippeligaen, three points behind Haugesund, who share fourth with Honesfoss. However, United's hosts will take comfort from their record of just two defeats in the last seven games. On loan striker Marcus Pedersen is in excellent form, having scored four goals in his last three games.

Nevertheless, United should have more than enough firepower up front and the tactical nous and experience to avoid any upsets. The team is unbeaten so far this pre-season, with friendlies against Barcelona and Hannover to come before the Premier League kicks off on 18 August.

Where to Watch Live

You can follow all the action from 2.50pm BST onwards on MUTV and MUTV online.

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