Manchester United’s squad for the upcoming Tour 2011 tour of America was announced earlier today. Our three summer singings have also been allocated squad numbers for the tour with David de Gea wearing number 1, Phil Jones 4 and Ashley Young 18.

The provisional squad travelling to the US for 5 pre-season games as announced by manutd.com is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Anders Lindegaard, Ben Amos, Sam Johnstone

Defenders: Rafael, Fabio, Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand

Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Nani, Anderson, Ryan Giggs, Park Ji-Sung, Gabriel Obertan

Forwards: Mame Diouf, Federico Macheda, Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov, Ashley Young

Players who have been involved in international competitions this summer will join up with the squad later on in the tour. These players include Chris Smalling, Danny Welbeck, David de Gea, Phil and Tom Cleverley who played in the recent European U21 Championship and Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez will also link up with the squad after taking a rest following his participation for Mexico in the Gold Cup.

Darren Fletcher was the only first-team regular not to be included in the squad. The Club revealed that he was to remain at Carrington to undergo an ‘individualised conditioning programme’ after the Scot missed a large part of last season due to a sudden loss of weight and energy which came about following a stomach bug.

United’s tour of America has always will be an important one in our preparations of the coming season. As well as it being a chance for our fans over in North America to see the players up and close, it will be an opportunity for several players to stake their claim for a regular first-team place ahead of the coming season.

For players like Gabriel Obertan, Mame Diouf, Federico Macheda and Tom Cleverley in particular it will be a big opportunity for them to impress Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of the new season. For our three new signings it’s a perfect chance for them to get to know their new team mates ahead of the new season and feel part of the team.

United’s 5-match tour starts with a game against the New England Revolution on 13 July in Boston before concluding with a game against our foes from last season Barcelona in Washington 30 July. It is sure to be an interesting month ahead for the lads across the other side of the pond.

By Adam Dennehey – @ADennehey87