Real Madrid vs Manchester United live stream: How to watch the pre-season friendly online

Donny van de Beek of Manchester United celebrates scoring with his team ahead of this week's pre-season friendly against Real Madrid.
(Image credit: Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

It's almost time for the Real Madrid vs Manchester United live stream, which pits two of European's fiercest soccer rivals against each other as part of the Red Devils' US pre-season tour.

Real Madrid vs Manchester United live stream, date, time, channels

The Real Madrid vs Manchester United live stream takes place on Wednesday (July 26).
Time 8.30 p.m. ET / 5.30 p.m. PT / 1.30 a.m. BST (July 27) / 10.30 a.m. AEST (July 27)
• U.S.ESPN Plus
• U.K.MUTV
• Watch anywhere — try ExpressVPN 100% risk free

Real Madrid and Manchester United will go head-to-head at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday evening (early hours of Thursday morning if you're in Europe) as part of the Soccer Champions Tour series. 

Los Blancos narrowly avoided defeat in their pre-season opener against Italy's AC Milan. However, a series of blunders allowed Carlo Ancelotti's side to level the game at 2-2, before Vinicius Junior's 84th minute game-winner put paid to Milan's hopes.

The last time Real and Man United met in a competitive game was all the way back in March 2013, when the Spanish giants knocked the Red Devils out of the Champions League Round of 16, but there are always fireworks when these European heavyweights meet on the pitch. 

You won’t want to miss a moment of the Real Madrid vs Manchester United live stream, and we’ll show you how to watch it from around the world below. 

Watch Real Madrid vs Manchester United anywhere

The Real Madrid vs Manchester United live stream will be shown on many different channels across the world. But what if you're not in your home country and want to watch it on your usual service?

The answer is to use a VPN, or virtual private network. A VPN will let you tune into your home coverage from wherever you are — meaning that if you're abroad, you can use one of the best VPN services to watch the games live as if you were in your lounge.

Our favorite right now is ExpressVPN, thanks to its combination of superb speed, great customer service and excellent device support. It also offers a no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee, so you could check it out without having to sign up long-term.

ExpressVPN

Speed, security and simplicity combine to make ExpressVPN our favorite VPN service. In our testing, we were impressed by its fast connection times and by its ability to access more than 3,000 services in 160 locations across 94 countries. A 30-day money-back guarantee is another bonus.

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, ExpressVPN is our favorite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're in the U.K. and want to view a U.S. service, you'd select U.S. from the list.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to Sling or another service and watch the game.

Real Madrid vs Manchester United live streams by country

How to watch the Real Madrid vs Manchester United live stream in the US

US flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Soccer fans in the U.S. can watch the Real Madrid vs Manchester United live stream on ESPN Plus through the ESPN App on a range of devices. While an ESPN Plus subscription does not give you access to regular ESPN content, it will grant you access to thousands of live events, original shows and series that can't be found anywhere else (not even on the standard ESPN service). ESPN+ is available for $9.99 a month or $99 a year. 

Even better ESPN Plus is available in a bundle with both Hulu and Disney Plus for $12.99 a month with ads. That gets you all of the ESPN Plus events, top Hulu shows like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and the Disney Plus library of classic Disney and Star Wars content. You can also pay $19.99 and lose the ads on Hulu and Disney Plus.

If you already use ESPN Plus but aren't in the U.S. right now, you can watch the Real Madrid vs Manchester United live stream by using a VPN such as ExpressVPN.

How to watch the Real Madrid vs Manchester United live stream in Canada

Canada flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Canadians can watch the Real Madrid vs Manchester United live stream on DAZN

Sadly, DAZN no longer offers new customers a 30-day free-trial period, so you'll have to pay the $24.99 CAD per month fee, although you can save a little by buying annually ($199 CAD). DAZN, if you're unfamiliar, has apps on pretty much every single streaming platform you can think of. 

Canadians stuck abroad that still want their low-price alternative can use a VPN such as ExpressVPN to trick their streaming device into thinking it's back in the great white north.

How to watch the Real Madrid vs Manchester United live stream in the UK

British flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Football fans in the U.K. will be able to watch the Real Madrid vs Manchester United live stream by subscribing to MUTV, which will allow you to watch all of United's pre-season friendlies on TV, on ManUtd.com and via the official Man Utd app, which you can download for Android or iOS. It costs £7.99 a month, or £29.99 for a whole year, and also includes exclusive MUTV Originals, documentaries, selected live United Women and Academy games during the season, and more.

Not at home in the U.K. right now? You can still follow the game by using one of the best VPN services, such as ExpressVPN

How to watch the Real Madrid vs Manchester United live stream in Australia

Australia flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Real Madrid vs Manchester United is not being shown on TV in Australia but fans will be able to watch the action from the USA live by signing up for the MUTV. You can watch via ManUtd.com, or download the app for Android or iOS, and watch all of Man Utd's pre-season matches.

Kick-off time in Australia is 10:30 a.m. AEST on Thursday.

Not at home in Australia right now? You can still follow the game by using one of the best VPN services, such as ExpressVPN

How to watch the Real Madrid vs Manchester United live stream in New Zealand

New Zealand flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Real Madrid vs Manchester United is not being shown on TV in New Zealand but fans will be able to watch the action from Texas live by signing up for the MUTV. You can watch via ManUtd.com, or download the app for Android or iOS, and watch all of Man Utd's pre-season matches.

Kick-off time in New Zealand is 12.30 p.m. NZST (Thursday).

Not at home in New Zealand right now? You can still follow the game by using one of the best VPN services, such as ExpressVPN

Real Madrid vs Manchester United preview

Manchester United's first season under Erik ten Haag started badly but ended well. Defeats in their first two games to Brighton and Brentford didn't look good, but after the Dutchman dropped Harry Maguire and managed to remove the disruptive influence of Cristiano Ronaldo his team started to click. A Carabao Cup trophy, FA Cup final and Champions League qualification represent a success for a club that still has room for improvement but looks more united than it has been for years. A 2-0 win over Arsenal in New Jersey on Saturday showed promise – can they build on that here?

Real Madrid had a disappointing season by their high standards, finishing 10 points behind champions and fierce rivals Barcelona in La Liga, and getting humiliated by Manchester City in the semi-final of the Champions League. Carlo Ancelotti has seen some high-profile departures from his squad, too, with Karim Benzema following the money to Saudi Arabia, Marco Asensio joining PSG, and Eden Hazard's contract expiring. You could argue they've been overshadowed, though, by the arrival of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, and the 20-year-old will be keen to restore Real Madrid to the summit of Spanish football. 

Will Bellingham show what he's capable of here and lead his new side to victory against United? Or can Erik ten Haag take his charges to the next level? You'll have to watch the Real Madrid vs Manchester United live stream to find out.

More from Tom's Guide

VPN statement

Tom Wiggins
Contributing writer

Tom Wiggins is a freelance journalist who regularly writes for Tom's Guide, Stuff, What Hi-Fi, and Metro, but has also contributed to GQ, Esquire, Shortlist and Red Bulletin. He lives and breathes football but eats mainly condiments (as co-host of a podcast about them called Desert Island Dips). He writes the annual Brighton & Hove Albion season preview for FourFourTwo and has followed the Seagulls from the old Third Division to the Europa League. Wiggo has also been to two World Cups, three Euros, and two Champions League finals, but his greatest football-watching achievement remains attending three games in one day in Madrid.

Read more
Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Ipswich Town FC at Old Trafford on February 26, 2025 in Manchester, England
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd: How to watch live streams of this exciting Europa League match online
Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid looks on during a La Liga match
Man City vs Real Madrid live stream: How to watch Champions League game online and on TV, team news
The Manchester United and Southampton club badges on top of a photo of Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England
Man Utd vs Southampton live stream: How to watch Premier League game online and on TV today, team news
The Liverpool and Manchester United club badges on top of a photo of Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England
Liverpool vs Man Utd live stream: How to watch Premier League game online and on TV today, team news
Bruno Fernandes of Man Utd gesticulates during a game
Man Utd vs Rangers live stream: How to watch Europa League online and on TV today, team news
Harry Maguire of Manchester United in action during a Premier League match in February 2025
Man Utd vs Arsenal live stream: How to watch the Premier League game online and on TV today, team news
Latest in Sports
Dante Maddox Jr. #21 of the Xavier Musketeers and Arthur Kaluma #6 of the Texas Longhorns compete for the ball in March 2025
March Madness First Round live stream: How to watch 2025 NCAA basketball online, what TV channel is it on?
March Madness games on YouTube TV using multiview
This is how I've streamed March Madness for the past 2 years — and it's the only way to watch every second of all 67 games
A March Madness 2025 basketball on a chair at University of Dayton Arena
March Madness LIVE: watch and stream NCAA basketball, odds as First Four gets underway
Tre Johnson #20 of the Texas Longhorns drives to the basket in the second half against Jonas Aidoo #9 of the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena ahead of March Madness 2025 LIVE (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
How to watch First Four 2025: live stream March Madness preliminary round online tonight, what TV channel?
The New York Mets’ Juan Soto prepares to throw a ball
MLB live stream 2025: How to watch Major League Baseball online from anywhere
Ajinkya Rahane in IPL action
IPL 2025 live stream: How to watch Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Indian Premier League
Latest in News
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
Samsung’s smart glasses could arrive before the end of the year — what we know
Galaxy S25 Ultra Now brief
Samsung’s Personal Data Engine is a big addition to the Galaxy S25 — here’s why
Apple Watch Series 10
Future Apple Watch models could get a surprising new feature — what we know
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Monday, March 24 (#652)
NYT Strands on a cellphone
NYT Strands today — hints, spangram and answers for game #386 (Monday, March 24 2025)
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro Max in hand showing displays
Forget iPhone 17 — iPhone 18 could get this huge upgrade