The soccer super club will play the first in a two-match series against Melbourne Victory on Friday, July 15. United will play fellow EPL team Crystal Palace at the MCG on July 19.

United legend Dwight Yorke will be part of a Melbourne announcement on the coup on Thursday.

Sources close to the deal said United would only play in Melbourne on the Australian leg of the pre-season tour, with the Victorian government chipping in taxpayer funds in a bid to lure fans from interstate and overseas.

“The Victorian government will be announcing that Manchester United are returning to Melbourne for the first time in 22 years,’’ a source said. “It’s a sure-fire sign that Melbourne is open to the world. Ticket demand is expected to be strong.’’

Manchester United v Crystal Palace. East Melbourne, Australia. Melbourne Cricket Ground