Are United ready for the new season?
Six wins out of seven in the pre-season matches and Manchester United have been solid rather than spectacular.
But they have been scoring goals and that was the major problem in the league last season which cost them a place in the top four.
New players like Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof have been in since day one of the warm-up period but while Nemanja Matic is in catch-up mode, he looked the kind of buy United's midfield needed against Sampdoria on his Reds debut.
His defensive foundation should help the attackers attack.
Real Madrid have two Spanish Super Cup matches against Barcelona coming up before their La Liga opener on August 20 against Deportivo La Coruna.
Real are behind United in match fitness having only played four warm-ups so far but this will the biggest barometer yet of the Reds' qualities.
Gareth Bale can post a message to Mourinho
We've had the David de Gea to Madrid stories and the brief, spurious teasers that Cristiano Ronaldo could return to United.
Now the issue is Gareth Bale.
United have been encouraged by some of the reports coming out of Spain but knocked back by the Welsh international's agent who says he wants to stay at the Bernabeu.
The cooling of the Ivan Perisic pursuit has got hopes up that a move for Bale is the priority.
He has had an ankle injury but could play in Skopje. Even if he cannot send a message on the pitch there could the chance for some dialogue between the two clubs.
pre-season so he'll surely want one final look at his strongest team against the Spaniards.
And if he wants that piece of silverware at the expense of the European champions then he'll have to show his hand.
Can Romelu Lukaku can put down a Euro marker?
United's £75m summer buy from Everton is proven in the Premier League. We know he can overpower and outwit defences in England.
But United also want to put in a credible challenge on their return to the Champions League this season and the Belgian's goals are going to be crucial.
United's No.9 has not had a taste of the group stages on the top European stage and facing the likes of Sergio Ramos and Rafael Varane in Skopje will be an early indicator of how he will cope with the next level.
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