Man Utd prepare for their ICC match against AC Milan

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Manchester United will face AC Milan in Los Angeles on Thursday as part of the pre-season international Champions Cup. The last time these two met was in the 2009-10 UEFA Champions League round of 16. United won 7-2 on aggregate, including a 4-0 victory at Old Trafford. But things are very different now and, with the transfer window about to end in just a few days, both teams are now facing problems with their squad.

United manager Jose Mourinho is without a large swathe of his first team in the US after several of his players reached the latter stages of the World Cup. But the Portuguese manager said he was pleased with how his side has played in pre-season so far, despite their poor results.

"I am happy with the matches, the evolution of the matches. But I don't have the players to work with. I don't have the majority of the players that are going to be in the squad on the ninth of August when the market closes, and we can make the squad official for the season. So, of course I am not happy. Of course I am not happy to have just a few players," Jose Mourinho said ahead of the match.

Juan Mata (L) Ander Herrera (C) and Andreas Pereira of Manchester United during a pre-season training at UCLA on July 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. /VCG Photo

Andreas Pereira, who spent the last two seasons on loan in La Liga, expressed his desire to remain at United for the coming campaign. "No, it is my intention to stay here and help the club and help the team, and of course, that is my first intention. So, I want to do everything I can to stay with the club and help United this season."

Angel Gomes, Mason Greenwood, Tahith Chong and Joshua Bohui of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at UCLA on July 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. /VCG Photo‍

The Serie A side are due to play three matches in the ICC, all against European teams. Captain Leonardo Bonucci moved to the San Siro last season, but the veteran defender's future at Milan is uncertain. Coach Gennaro Gattuso is trying to persuade Bonucci to stay with the club, amidst interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.

"I hope he stays with us. Leo held a discussion with me, but I am not the whole club. The club is well represented and there are directors he needs to speak with. While he wears the Milan shirt he is my player. I want to see the Leo of the last 15 days – which is a great professional, the first one to carry the team. He behaves as a captain and we will see what he decides. I hope Leo stays in the team because he is a player of value with a great mentality and talent and I hope he stays with us."