IT has been 44 years in the making, but Manchester United are finally returning to Perth.
The Red Devils have locked in two exhibition games at Optus Stadium next July, starting with a game against Perth Glory on July 13.
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READ NOWThis will be the club’s fifth visit to Australia since their first tour in 1967 and they last visited Australian shores to play the A-League All Stars in 2013.
The club has announced they have a number of fan activities planned including a legends dinner and a team open training session.
The Tourism Council is anticipating United’s visit will attract more than 10,000 visitors from the United Kingdom and South East Asia to Western Australia.
Tourism Council WA chief executive officer Evan Hall said the matches would provide a huge tourism boost to the state.
“Major events like these are critical to winning back international and interstate visitors, providing an impetus for people from around Australia and the world to visit Perth,” he said.
“As the most followed sports team in the world, Manchester United will give Perth and Western Australia worldwide exposure.
“We congratulate the State Government, Tourism WA, Optus Stadium and VenuesWest for bringing Manchester United and Leeds to Perth.”